Heliocentris becomes a distributor of SFC Smart Fuel Cell and offers the first methanol fuel cell training package for post-secondary institutions
SFC Smart Fuel Cell (SFC) and Heliocentris have signed a distribution agreement whereby Heliocentris will distribute the SFC A50 M, a 50 W fuel cell power supply. Heliocentris will offer the SFC A50 M as part of an educational package for post-secondary educational institutions. Both companies have also agreed to collaborate on further development of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) based educational packages.
"With SFC´s technology we have further expanded our post-secondary educational product offering. We are now able to meet the increasing demand for DMFC based educational products." said Dr. Henrik Colell, Heliocentris´ co-founder and managing director.
"We realised we were getting an increasing amount of interest from universities and other educational institutions.
In Heliocentris, we have identified a strong and experienced partner who can support us in bringing this key technology to future engineers and technicians", said Dr. Manfred Stefener, CEO and founder of SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG. "More and more experts recognise DMFC technology as the key technology for the one W to one kW power range".
Beginning this April, Heliocentris will offer a special DMFC educational package, the "Methucator", comprising the SFC A50 M; data logging software; methanol cartridges; a lead acid battery including accessories; and an additional single cell demonstration DMFC. Other accessories like an electronic load and an inverter complete the product offering.
SFC already markets fuel cell systems successfully in retail and industrial markets. With a usable power of 50 W, the SFC A50 M delivers up to 100 Ah per day to charge a 12 V lead acid battery. A single 5 litre cartridge delivers power for 80 hours of continuous operation and more than 300 Ah of electricity. With one cartridge educational institutions can run several student-days of experiments. Replacement cartridges can be ordered at a low price.
With the included data logging software, users can monitor and collect fuel cell data including voltage, current, temperature, methanol consumption as well as several other parameters. With the additional demonstration single cell students can better understand the electro-chemical background of direct methanol fuel cells.
With this product package a range of scientific and technical investigations can be carried out, ranging from basic investigations on the characteristic behaviour to construction of remote power supply units. The product can also be combined with other types of alternative energy systems like power converters and solar panels, giving students the opportunity to integrate and develop hybrid systems.
For the future, further educational packages are planned including specific packages for electrical engineering, energy technology, and chemical and process engineering.
Smart Fuel Cell and Heliocentris will launch their relationship at Hanover Fair 2005,
April 11 – 16, 2005.
Heliocentris will present the new DMFC training package at Booth E76/1 in Hall 13, where other fuel cell educational equipment from Heliocentris will also be presented.
Heliocentris Energiesysteme GmbH
Heliocentris, with offices in Berlin-Adlershof, Germany and Vancouver, Canada produces educational equipment and training material focused on fuel cell technology. The products are sold throughout Europe, The Americas and Asia.
With more than 25,000 fuel cell products sold to date, Heliocentris is one of the few companies worldwide with experience in mass distribution of fuel cells. In the field of fuel cell education, Heliocentris is a world leader and offers the largest range of products.
Smart Fuel Cell AG
SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG develops, manufactures and markets miniaturised direct methanol fuel cell systems the size of conventional accumulators. SFC‘s smart fuel cell systems are setting new standards world-wide for the provision of electrical power supplies for mains-independent equipment as well as for RVs, caravans and boats. The Smart Fuel Cell brings the following decisive innovations: it combines a fuel cell with a safe and environmentally friendly energy source – methanol – and integrates both into a patented, miniaturised system. The advantages over conventional accumulators and batteries include significantly longer operation and far greater ease of use. The first standard unit has been in production and generally available since September 2003. It guarantees reliable long-term operation for a wide range of electrical equipment. In the meantime, the SFC A50 has received numerous international awards.
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