Trulite, a Houston, Texas company, has developed a portable fuel cell for the consumer, contained in a box that powers everything from computer, to fridges and construction site power tools.
Costing around $2,000 initially, the environmentally friendly hydrogen fueled device measures a trim 7 inches wide, 18 inches tall, and 18 inches deep.
It is much cleaner than alternatives, producing water and heat as its only byproducts. It will hit the market during the second quarter of next year. It will be one of the first consumer fuel cells on the market. It is designed to replace regular gas generators people have used until now, which are noisy and polluting.
Called the Trulite KH4, the cell produces 150 watts of continuous generating capacity and up to 200 watts of peak capacity. It carries two regular power outlets, and a DC outlet.
It’s useful for people camping or boating, who want to power their DVD players, for example. Trulite will also try to sell to government agencies and security companies, said chief executive Jonathan Godshall. Its product will be handy during crises like Hurricane Katrina, allowing first responders to power their cellphones and other devices even if utilities are down, he said.
The device uses dry sodium borohydride fuel, which is a dry powder that contains hydrogen. By dousing water on to the powder, Trulite’s technology releases the hydrogen, a source of energy. When in a canister, it is safe (you can fire a bullet through the canister and it won’t explode, for example) and can be left indefinitely — you can pick it up a few years later and it still works, according to the company. The KH4 also contains advanced lithium ion batteries that work together with the fuel cell to support intermittent and peak power requirements.
Godshall says the market for such products is about $250 million, but the market so far consists of gas generators. He said the product may spark consumer interest, allowing the market to grow to at least $500 million and perhaps much more.
Other energy sources all have limitations. Batteries need to be recharged, solar power fluctuates, gas generators pollute, for example.
Other fuel cell companies exist, such as Voller, Protonex and Jadoo, but they are more focused on military applications. Voller, based in Germany, does have a 100 Watt consumer fuel cell. They use other technologies. Jadoo uses a metal hydride, a material that is generally more expensive, though can be more compact and light, and it is limited to military use for now. Another material used by some of these players is wet sodium borohydride, but that doesn’t pack as much power.
Trulite’s stock recently began trading over the counter (its prospectus was approved in March). However, it is not profitable (this is its first product) and so it is looking to raise more funding, including from venture capitalists. Standard Renewable Energy, a renewable energy holding company, owns 45 percent of the stock. Contango Venture Capital Corp, owns another 16 percent.
5 Comments
-
Xena said:
They have actually used similar fuel cell batteries in aircraft. It is pretty neat.
http://www.bizorigin.com/2007/fuel-cell-new-frontiers -
JL said:
Jadoo is NOT limited to military use for now. They’ve been selling actual product for non-military use for at least 3 years, maybe 4.
Anyone reading this can buy a Jadoo fuel cell right now.
-
Cash Advance said:
Fantastic view talking about Trulite to release handy fuel cell for consumers. Thoroughly enjoy your point of view!
-
Water Fuel Cell said:
nice.
-
Arek Stefaniak said:
AREK STEFANIAK
1782 SW Choate St. Port St. Lucie, FL 34953
Phone: (772) 344-4625 (H) (772) 240-6192 (C)
E-mail address: eareks@netscape.netOBJECTIVE: I AM INTERESTED IN THE POSITION WITH YOUR COMPANY.
MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WOULD BE A GREAT ASSET FOR YOUR COMPANY.SUMMARY: Extensive experience in E/M engineering, sales, service and customer relations
As a production manager, I supervised a team of 20 employees, increasing productivity
significantly according to schedule.
Professional, independent, creative self-starter
Proficient in Apple/Mac and IBM design (Visio, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Illustrator,
Strata Studio Pro/MS Office, Works, Word, Excel, Outlook)
Fluent in languages: English, Polish, Russian and GermanMY INTEREST: Engineering High End in Technological Advances of the disciplines as follows:
Sensors and Interceptive devices / systems for military - related applications
Renewal energy resources (H2/wind power generators, compressed air engines
and hybrid, etc.)
Artificial intelligence -Voice Recognition In association with Smart Homes Technologies
Robotics - in emphasis on humanoids (firefighters/rescue and high risk life treating operation)PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE:MILCOM-PANAMERSA INCORPORATED 1997-PRESENT
Lake Worth, FL
Project Manager, Independent Contractor Managed multiply projects plans concurrently and prioritized tasks appropriately under changing conditions
Created and updated project plans, schedules for one or more projects using MS project 2007.
Developed project plans specifying goals, strategy, staffing, scheduling, identification of risks, contingency plans, and allocation of available resources.
Directed and coordinated activities of project personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule and within budget.
Provided leadership and motivation to project team members throughout the project life cycle.
Assigned through verification process vendor selection and interacted with third party implementation teams.
Provided weekly status reports to the senior management and key project stakeholders.
Prepared a variety of periodic reports for technical management and business groups.
Distributed project related data and documentation as appropriate including: project status reports, vendor information, and requirements documents.
Developed and maintained project documentation.
Managed project issues, decisions and risks, including investors report.
Reviewed and analyzed all project activities on a day-to-day basis to ensure on-time completion of planned tasks.
Confirmed due dates under contract agreements
Coordinated with our customers purchase orders, quantities and delivery due dates
Negotiate best deals on costs and delivery within acceptable quality standardsSOLAR OUTDOOR LIGHTING INCORPORATED. 1993-1997
Stuart, FL
Manager/Technical Advisor Developed project management methodologies tools, skills and practical techniques
Utilized interpersonal abilities to foster strong working relationships between project teams, user communities, management and vendors
Proven excellent organization skills with a commitment to meeting deadlines and expectations while ensuring overall quality of delivery
Involved in design and overviewed of new solar products
Made final report to superiors of the progress on new extended-life batteries
Engineered modifications using Auto CAD
Worked under implementations of ISO-9001
Analyzed material compositions based on best selection and laboratory testing
Managed production flow using schedules to optimize efficiency
Generated weekly and monthly production schedules
Developed, reviewed and coordinated vendor purchases
Analyzed staff productivity and maintained stockroom inventory system
Improved electro-mechanical process for R&D
Involved in documents modifications for engineering department under required specificationNORTHROP-GRUMMAN(SENSORSDIV.) 1990-1993
La Guardia Airport, NY
Engineering & Mfg Departments Manager Managed company operations, project documentation and other duties; arranged meetings with clients (including products presentations and sales) and finalized contract agreement
As a development team’s interfaced the client’s needs. Reviewed of new releases
Generated master productions schedule and achieved monthly inventory targets, maintained optimum inventory level and maximize operating efficiency
Consulted and revised new projects implementations of Auto-Cad dwg. modifications as per ECN requirements..
Developed network solution and review of new functions implementations
Used analytical, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills to coordinate shipments and expedite on time delivery with the project manager
Arranged periodic meetings between clients and company principals
Directed company achievements and implemented with new techniques
Integrated Autodesk, Photopia and Adobe
Utilized Visio, Microsoft Work ,Excel, Access, Word for other applications
Familiarized with Solid Works Inventor
Participated in sales and customer satisfaction surveysEDUCATION:
ASPIRE – Advanced Study Program for Integrated Regionalized Education
Certified in Quality Assurance/ (Sponsored by FAU/IRCC) Pt. Saint Lucie, FL.
MOLLOY COLLEGE, Rockville Center, New York, U.S.
Certified in Advanced Maintenance and Repair of Computer Hardware
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Warsaw, Poland.
Master Degree in Production and Analytical Methods
ORLOWSKI TECHNICAL COLLEGE, Warsaw, Poland.
Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Electro-Mechanical Technology
ISO 9001 and Six Sigma - certified, USA
Blueprint Reading - certified, USAREFERENCES: Available upon request. US Citizen. Willing to travel, if required.
One Trackback
9:29 pm
Open Source Homeland » Pretty nifty generator said:
[...] a handy tool you’d might like to have around on the Day After: VentureBeat » Trulite to release handy fuel cell for consumers Trulite, a Houston, Texas company, has developed a portable fuel cell for the consumer, contained [...]