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Program awards $20 million

Companies, universities to share state funds for fuel cell, advanced energy technology

By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer

Published on Thursday, Mar 27, 2008

Ohio's growing fuel cell and advanced energy industries received a $20 million boost from the state this week.

Companies and universities in Summit, Stark, Portage and Medina counties — some on the verge of commercializing their projects — will share in the money being released by the Third Frontier Commission, the state's $1.6 billion program to make Ohio a global competitor in high-tech fields.

The grants will ''unleash the economic potential'' for the emerging fuel cell and advanced energy industries, said Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, chairman of Third Frontier.

Among the grant recipients is Akron Polymer Systems, awarded $349,644 for its work with a type of fuel cell called a ''proton exchange membrane, or PEM, which operates at high temperatures and low humidity.''

APS will produce and test PEM assemblies for use in automotive power systems and portable power systems, as well as military applications such as unmanned air vehicles and directed energy weapons.

APS also is participating in a project lead by Xunlight 26 Solar in Toledo, which received nearly $1 million from Third Frontier.

Xunlight is designing a rooftop photovoltaic system (which transforms sunlight into


energy) and APS will develop the polymer substrate materials for that project.

William Fuller, APS' vice president of business development, said the grants will help APS create several new high-paying positions.

He also commended the state for promoting technology-based entrepreneurship.

''As the state keenly understands, technology companies are a critical component of the state's economic future,'' Fuller said.

Here are other local grant recipients:

• University of Akron Research Foundation — Awarded $250,000 for a project to convert a prototype battery that uses a new membrane developed by eVionyx Inc. into a commercial battery.

UA will conduct polymer engineering activities to improve performance and quality, and develop a process for mass manufacture.

• Kent State University — Awarded $299,548 for a project that could make the production of PEM fuel cells less expensive. The grant will enable KSU to explore a high-yield catalyst fabrication process to replace the costly ''platinum loading'' process, and design and install the equipment at KSU.

General Motors is interested in testing the material under its standard testing protocols, however KSU currently doesn't have the production capacity for the quantity required.

• Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Inc. in North Canton — Awarded $1 million to develop a test system and overhaul facility for its megawatt-scale solid oxide fuel cell for stationary power generation.

The project also will assist Stark State College in developing its fuel cell technician training program, which will offer real-world experience to students.

• Catacel Corp. in Garrettsville — Awarded $445,614. The company will build a pilot-scale production line to develop a key fuel cell component.

Catacel has developed a catalytic coating process used to produce inexpensive metal foil components. Those components are used for heat exchangers in fuel cell reformers and other energy conversion processes.

Catacel also received a $759,502 grant for a project on the durability and performance evaluation of catalysts on metals project.

Catacel will upgrade, modify and build equipment to better respond to customer data requests, which is expected to hasten supplier qualifications and time-to-market.

• EBO Group in Sharon Center — Awarded $1 million for a collaboration with Bowling Green State University.

BGSU has developed a system of motor cooling using oil that could significantly reduce the weight and cost of hybrid drives. EBO Group will refine the motor design, develop additional components and install three systems for commercial testing.

Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.

Ohio's growing fuel cell and advanced energy industries received a $20 million boost from the state this week.

Get the full article here.


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