Delivering the future…...
August 23, 2007
NCEMC Technology
Conference
“Propelled by Microcell”
How does a fuel cell work?
If pure hydrogen is
used as a fuel, fuel
cells emit only heat
and water,
eliminating
concerns about air
pollutants or
greenhouse gases.
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
2
How does a fuel cell work?
PEM Fuel Cell
One of the more
common types of fuel
cell is the Polymer
Electrolyte Membrane
(PEM) fuel cell. The
PEM fuel cell consists
of an electrolyte
membrane
sandwiched between
an anode (negative
electrode) and a
cathode (positive
electrode).
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
3
How does a fuel cell work?
H2 and anode:
Hydrogen fuel (H2) is
channeled to the
anode, where the
catalyst separates
the hydrogen's
negatively charged
electrons from the
positively charged
protons.
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
4
How does a fuel cell work?
PEM:
The membrane
allows the
positively charged
protons to pass
through to the
cathode, but not
the negatively
charged electrons.
The negatively
charged electrons
must flow around
the membrane
through an
external circuit.
This flow of
electrons forms an
electrical current.
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
5
How does a fuel cell work?
Cathode:
At the cathode, the
negatively charged
electrons and
positively charged
hydrogen ions
(protons) combine
with oxygen to form
water (H20) and
heat
.
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
6
How does a fuel cell work?
Cathode:
At the cathode, the
negatively charged
electrons and
positively charged
hydrogen ions
(protons) combine
with oxygen to form
water (H20) and
heat
.
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
7
How does a fuel cell work?
Fuel cell stack:
To increase the
amount of electricity
generated, individual
fuel cells are
combined in series,
into a fuel cell
"stack." A typical fuel
cell stack may consist
of hundreds of fuel
cells.
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
8
Current “Plate & Frame” Technology
Fuel Cell Stack
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
9
How is Microcell’s fuel cell different?
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
10
Technology - Individual Microcell
Outside Diameter
~ 1000 Microns
Catalyst
Layers
Lumen
Membrane
Electrolyte
Current
Collectors
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
11
Technology – Unicell
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
12
Technology – Microcell Assembly
Microcell
Unicell
Module



1-1.5 Watts per cell

Mass produced on high
speed extrusion line



Replaceable Unicell
(10-15W)
Fuel, air and thermal
management incorporated
Inserted into module and
sealed


About the size of a pencil

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
Building block for larger
systems (25 or 50kW)
Currently 1-2kW module
is 4’’ in diameter and
contains 120 Unicells
Separate chambers to
feed fuel, air and coolant
End caps contain “quick
connect” electrical
connections
13
Significant Competitive Advantages

Continuous automated extrusion process

Derived from raw materials compared to purchasing components

Elimination of expensive bipolar flow field plates

Reduced auxiliary and control equipment requirements; no humidification
equipment

Simplified design and fabrication processes = lower labor costs

Simplified design and no humidification system = compact and lightweight

Cylindrical shape provides the ideal fibrous geometry, resulting in the
highest possible surface area / volume ratio

Power density results exceed 1kW/L
Ease of Repair,
Serviceability

Individual Microcell cores are inserted into a fuel cell module

Individual cores can be replaced without replacing the entire module
High Thermal
Efficiency

Heat removal occurs from every inch of every single cell

Design allows for optimal heat removal to reduce cell degradation

Metallic current collectors heat up much faster than graphite plates

Reach operating temperature quickly; essential for operating effectively in
cold weather conditions
Lower
Production
Cost
High Power
Density
Quick Start
Operation
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
14
Key Strategic Relationships

Major International Automaker
•
•

Existing Partners
Multi-phase joint-development
project
Automotive and DG applications
Major Energy Holding Companies
•
•
•
•
•
•
PEPCO Holdings
Progress Energy
Duke Energy
North Carolina Electric Cooperatives
(NCEMC)
Dominion Energy
Advanced Energy
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
15
Potential Markets
Propelled
By Microcell
DG/APU
Portable
Vehicular
Residential
Laptops
Automobiles
Commercial
PDAs
Buses/Fleets
REC
Cell Phones
Recreational
Military
Military
Military
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
16
Current Product Focus


1-5 kW Back up Power units operating on Hydrogen
1-5 kW units with on site Hydrogen generation aimed at
DSM market
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
17
Product Commercialization Status
Pre-commercial sales for
field testing
Commercial Sales
DG / APU
2007
2008
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
2009
2010
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