U.S. Air Force contracts Millennium Cell to develop next-generation sodium borohydride-based fuel cartridge technology for soldiers

EATONTOWN, N.J., 20 October 2006. Millennium Cell Inc., a developer of hydrogen battery technology, has received a delivery order from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop the next generation of sodium borohydride-based fuel cartridge technology to address higher energy density targets for future power sources. The delivery order, if fully utilized by the military, provides for up to $4.0 million in purchases of technology and products over its five-year life.

The initial $500,000 phase of work under this contract will support new technology development for the soldier power program at AFRL. Integration and evaluation of advanced fuel cartridges compatible with the Protonex 30-watt soldier power system as well as other potential fuel cell systems is planned in later phases of this delivery order. This system is currently under evaluation by the Air Force.

Michael Rottmayer, AFRL program manager, notes, "The Air Force is aggressively pursuing innovative ideas and major performance advances in power generation and energy storage. We are pleased to continue our work with Millennium Cell's technology which shows great promise in providing significant increases in energy density and reducing the weight burden on airmen in the field."