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World Micro Fuel Cell Market for Military Man-portable Equipment
Frost & Sullivan, Dec 2007, Pages: 80
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled World Micro Fuel Cell Market for Military Man-portable Equipment provides an overview of the market for fuel cells developed specifically for military portable devices, along with a complete analysis of key market drivers, restraints, and trends that are impacting investment in this area. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following devices: tactical radios, night vision equipment, handheld GPS devices, infantryman combat systems, and others.
Inherent Benefits Driving Fuel Cell Development
As military applications require a unique power source, defence departments in developed countries are investing and supporting R&D efforts to identify an improved technology that can compliment the changing needs of advanced digital equipment. Fuel cells are currently a key focus of development for portable and handheld equipment as this light weight technology offers significant benefits such as extended runtimes, simple ‘recharging’ without the need for an auxiliary power unit, better scalability and so on. At present, micro fuel cell (MFC) technology is in the R&D and testing stage of development and there are several designs that are being tested. Each competitor in the market has a slightly different focus (whether it is a different fuel or design of cartridge), but the common objective is to secure a viable niche market to provide an advanced power source.
However, the absence of standards in both cartridge design and fuel cell composition is a crucial restraint for the markets development. 'With numerous designs competing for market share, there are likely to be distribution issues in addition to possible incompatibilities with device OEMs,' notes the analyst of this research service. 'In an attempt to address this issue, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has formed the Working Group 10 (WG10), a special task force within TC105 to discuss interchangeability in standardization.'
Environment Friendly Nature likely to Encourage Market Expansion
Traditional primary and secondary batteries in the market today contain toxic material and must be disposed properly. Heavy metals such as cadmium, which are found in (rechargeable) nickel-cadmium (NiCD) batteries, have an adverse effect on the environment. Although lithium ion (Li-ion) does not contain heavy metal material, it does have a high amount of chemical activity that when activated by water can harm the environment. In comparison to the above, fuel cells are much more environment friendly as they are recyclable and their main by-product is water. This factor is likely to be a key driver for the technology, encouraging market and investor support.
Among the notable technology developments, Advanced Materials, Inc. is one of the first to develop a portable, affordable, and fuel-flexible system for the military based on a solid oxide fuel cell system. The company's unique fuel cell operates from propane, butane, and natural gas, which are all common and affordable fuels. 'Initial development created a rugged fuel cell capable of a 3-foot drop, unassisted cold start, long runtimes and high energy density,' says the analyst. 'The fuel cell is expected to meet development targets and has already secured several contracts from the U.S. military.'
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