BOTHELL, Wash., Aug. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neah Power Systems, Inc. ('NEAH') (OTCBB:NPWZ) www.neahpower.com, the Company developing fuel cell based renewable energy solutions, announced that it has released a technology report describing Neah's unique anaerobic solution, and the energy density benefit of using methanol as a fuel. The White Paper is available on Neah's website.
Technology Brief: Neah Power Systems provides energy solution
for long duration applications in limited air environments
By Tsali Cross Ph.D., Vice President of Engineering, Neah Power Systems
A new and unique approach to direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) design has been developed by Neah Power Systems that uses a porous silicon, catalyst-supporting electrode structure and circulating liquid fuel, electrolyte and oxidant.
We believe that there are currently no other commercially available DMFC's able to operate in non-air breathing environments with such unique capabilities. Neah Power's anaerobic fuel cell represents a major break-through in portable power for long-duration missions operating in environments without air. Neah plans to leverage this advantage by initially targeting this market, as illustrated by the previously announced EKO Vehicles and Hobie Cat engagements.
Neah Power's silicon-based architecture and use of liquid electrolyte creates a three dimensional reaction zone that is able to generate industry leading power densities of greater than 180mW/cm2 and allows for air availability limited operations.
Using Methanol as a fuel provides distinct advantages over traditional power sources such as lead-acid or Li-Ion based power sources including energy density, weight and volume for long-duration and low-power (0-200W) electronic applications based on the theoretical densities as shown (1) (2) (3).
--------------- -------------------- ---------------
Power Gravimetric Vol.
Source Energy Energy
Density Density
(W-hr/kg) (W-hr/L)
--------------- -------------------- ---------------
Methanol fuel 6,050 4,780
--------------- -------------------- ---------------
Li-Ion 130 300
--------------- -------------------- ---------------
Lead acid 30-40 60-75
--------------- -------------------- ---------------
Table 1. Advantages of Methanol over Lead acid
and Li-Ion based power.
Most fuel cells for such portable applications are based on a proton exchange membrane (PEM), which uses oxygen from air as the oxidant. These systems are limited by the availability of air or extended periods of time, such as in a smoke-filled building, a soldier's pack, or in pressure challenged environments (i.e. high altitude or underwater). An example of one recent design for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) application where air is limited is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 is available at http://media.primezone.com/cache/11338/file/7277.pdf
Neah Power has recently developed a portable, DMFC prototype from their ground-breaking porous silicon based technology. The versatility of the architecture has been demonstrated by operating the fuel cell with liquid oxidant (versus air as in traditional PEM based fuel cells), methanol as the fuel, and liquid electrolyte. This silicon-based design can be manufactured using standard semiconductor processing techniques and has the potential to deliver low-cost, portable power systems exhibiting high energy density and reliable operation in a broad range of environmental conditions. Power solutions may be custom engineered for specific end-user applications, due to the high degree of flexibility in Neah Power's design, development and manufacturing of fuel cell systems.
(1) H.A. Kiehne, Battery Technology Handbook, 2nd Ed., Marcel
Dekker, New York, NY, 2003.
(2) www.wikipedia.com, accessed 8/26/09.
(3) www.nexergy.com, accessed 8/26/09.
About Neah Power
Neah Power Systems, Inc. (NPWZ) is developing long-lasting, efficient and safe power solutions for the military and for portable electronic devices. Neah uses a unique, patented, silicon-based design for its micro fuel cells that enable higher power densities, lower cost and compact form-factors. The company's micro fuel cell system can run in aerobic and anaerobic modes, and is developing energy storage solutions based on its proprietary porous silicon technology. Further company information can be found at www.neahpower.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements contained herein may be, within the meaning of the federal securities laws, "forward-looking statements," which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. See Neah Power System's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations as of the date hereof, and the company does not undertake any responsibility to update any of these statements in the future.