News

Manhattan Scientifics Completes Development and Initial Testing of the HYDROCYLCE

June 22, 2000 by Jeff Shepard

Manhattan Scientifics Inc. (New York City, NY) has completed initial development and initial testing of the HYDROCYCLE, a fuel cell powered bicycle, which utilizes Manhattan Scientifics' mid-range power technology developed by the company's NovArs unit in Passau, Germany.The power supply unit is based on a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that uses hydrogen and air to produce electric power. The process is pollution-free and the fuel cell's design is based on the use of advanced composite materials and sealing technology to minimize size and weight. The HYDROCYCLE is designed as a power source for portable electronic equipment or lightweight, personal transportation application. Manhattan Scientifics has applied for patent protection in the US, Europe and other key markets around the world.The cylindrical-shaped fuel cell stack, which powers the HYDROCYCLE, weighs 780 grams and delivers 670W of power to a hub motor. The hydrogen fuel is contained in a two-liter carbon fiber reinforced pressure vessel located behind the bicycle seat. This provides the cyclist with a driving range of up to 70-100km (flat surface) at a top speed of 30km/h. In production, the fuel tank can be integrated into the frame of the bicycle.With the minimal ancillary equipment needed by the system, energy densities of 205w/kg and the 115w/l can be reached. According to Manhattan Scientifics, the complete HYDROCYCLE fuel cell system has about seven times more energy density than lead acid batteries, at 30w/kg, and more than three times the energy density of NiMH batteries, at 60w/kg."We decided to build the bicycle to demonstrate the key features of our technology," said Dr. Arthur Koschany, founder and chief scientist of NovArs, commenting on the power densities of 860w/kg and 590w/l. "Other bicycle models, for different applications, will follow using similar material with parameters optimized for both lower and higher power output ranges."