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Multi-functional Fluidic Manifold for Portable Fuel Cell Systems

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W909MY-08-C-0019
Agency Tracking Number: A072-092-0893
Amount: $70,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A07-092
Solicitation Number: 2007.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2007-10-30
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-04-30
Small Business Information
7610 Eastmark Drive
College Station, TX 77840
United States
DUNS: 184758308
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jeremy Steinshnider
 Senior Reseach Scientist
 (979) 693-0017
 jeremy.steinshnider@lynntech.com
Business Contact
 G. Hitchens
Title: Vice President
Phone: (979) 693-0017
Email: duncan.hitchens@lynntech.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Significant progress has been made in recent years in portable fuel cell systems to increase energy and power densities. However, the majority of the focus has been in fuel cell development or hydrogen storage with little consideration towards the system ancillary components (pumps, valves, regulators, tubing) that usually require a complicated layout and adds unnecessary mass and volume. To address these limitations, Lynntech proposes to develop a multi-functional fluidic manifold that will reduce the system mass and volume, while improving both reliability and robustness. This novel multi-functional fluidic manifold contains the reactant gas and cooling channels, eliminating the need for tubing where the wall thickness accounts for half the tube diameter. The pump heads will be integrated in the fluidic manifold, eliminating the need for a shell. The manifold body will also serve as the regulator housing. To further reduce system mass and volume the fuel cell and heat exchanger will attach directly to the manifold eliminating the need for an endplate and water flow channel plate. This entire fluidic manifold will be fabricated from lightweight, high strength plastics to handle the mechanical and thermal stresses with new low power solenoid valves to improve system efficiency.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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