Delphi, Rochester Institute to develop fuel cells

The Rochester Institute of Technology in New York announced that it would be working with Troy, Mich.-based Delphi as part of a federally funded fuel cell development project.

The $2.75 million project, backed by the U.S. Department of Defense, will look at fuel cell applications in the armed forces.

"It is my hope that this research will amplify our ability to accelerate the implementation of new fuel cell technologies that will support numerous military applications," said Nabil Nasr, director of RIT's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies.

"This will also enhance the development of sustainable energy systems for future commercial applications."

The university said the project will work on stationary and mobile systems within the Department of Defense.

RIT said solid oxide fuel cells are highly efficient electrochemical generators that produce environmentally friendly electricity directly from currently available fuels.

"Situational awareness, future weapons and next-generation protection systems will require more electric power generated quietly and at higher efficiency," said Russ Bosch, Delphi's director of fuel cell development.

Bosch said the fuel cell is a preferable technology for the military because the cell's higher efficiency decreases the amount of fuel that needs to be transported and the solid oxide fuel cell's quiet operation improves stealth capabilities.

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