Lightweight, Portable Power Solutions for Soldiers on Dismounted Missions, Mobile Reliable Power for Manned and Unmanned Vehicles

The increasing deployment of electronic equipment has intensified soldiers' need for lightweight, reliable, mobile and portable electrical power. Consequently, fuel cells are increasingly being deployed as power sources for defense organizations. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) provide logistical, security and functionality advantages compared to batteries alone, including virtually undetectable operation on the ground, onboard ground vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Unlike batteries, which store energy, DMFCs generate power by chemically converting methanol into electrical energy. SFC, which has sold more than 15,000 DMFCs in commercial applications, also is a leading provider of fuel cells for defense applications. This paper will discuss the development, evolution and use of DMFCs for those applications