Viaspace Expands Focus On Energy Products Including New Opportunities In Clean Energy Sector

ENERGY TECH

Viaspace subsidiary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation (DMFCC) is engaged in developing, manufacturing, distributing and obtaining safety certification for disposable methanol fuel cartridges to provide the energy source for laptop computers, cell phones and other portable electronic devices powered by direct methanol fuel cells.

by Staff Writers
Pasadena CA (SPX) May 04, 2007
Viaspace has announced plans to expand its energy-based products into a major business focus. The company has established Viaspace Energy as a business unit to accelerate the growth of its existing direct methanol fuel cell cartridge business and fuel cell humidity sensor product line and to pursue new opportunities identified within the $55.4 billion clean energy sector.

Based on positive initial feedback for its fuel cell power source and humidity sensor technologies from potential customers in several market sectors including major auto manufacturers, automotive test systems providers and fuel cell developers, Viaspace will intensify and expand its energy-based product initiatives.

Under the new Viaspace Energy division, the company is identifying and pursuing additional business opportunities in areas including fuel cell test equipment, batteries and battery test equipment, alternative fuels, and new products to conserve energy and reduce emissions.

Demand for clean energy solutions is increasing exponentially. Research firm Clean Edge, Inc. reports the global market for fuel cells, biofuels, solar, wind and other renewable energy technologies grew nearly 39% in one year, from $39.9 billion in 2005 to $55.4 billion in 2006.

According to Clean Energy Trends 2007 published by Clean Edge in March, the fuel cell and distributed hydrogen market will grow from a $1.4 billion industry in 2006 (primarily for research contracts and demonstration and test units) to $15.6 billion over the next decade. Global markets for biofuels reached $20.5 billion in 2006 and are projected to grow to $80.9 billion by 2016.

The launch and initial shipment of Viaspace's VIASENSOR HS-1000 Fuel Cell Humidity Sensor has generated significant market interest. The VIASENSOR product is a leading edge test device that quickly and accurately determines the level of relative humidity or water vapor flowing in a gas stream, which is vital to the proper function and efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells.

It uses proprietary technology to enable continuous, real-time, non-invasive and reliable measurement of the temperature, pressure and moisture content of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). VIASENSOR takes data measurements every five seconds, provides automatic data collection software and interfaces to any PC.

DMFCC is carving out an important niche in the growing market for micro fuel cells for portable electronic devices by providing the global fuel cartridge manufacturing, distribution and sales infrastructure the industry requires.

The company has licensed a large intellectual property portfolio including 59 issued and 59 pending patents on direct methanol fuel cell technology from Caltech and the University of Southern California and offers patent protection for OEMs and manufacturers of direct methanol and other liquid hydrocarbon fuel cells. DMFCC will operate within the new Viaspace Energy division.

Dr. Carl Kukkonen, CEO of Viaspace, commented: "We are now organized into two major business units -- Viaspace Security, which delivers solutions for the commercial and homeland security markets, and Viaspace Energy. Viaspace has established a significant position in the clean energy sector with our extensive portfolio of fuel cell patents, fuel cell cartridge business, and breakthrough humidity sensor products.

"Major players in the energy market have responded favorably to our technologies, opening up additional avenues for our company to explore. As we continue to build on our existing businesses and pursue the exciting new applications that are rapidly emerging, we believe Viaspace will make an important contribution in meeting the growing demand for clean energy products."

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ENERGY TECH

Scientists Seek Ways To Bury Greenhouse Gases

Bangkok (AFP) May 03, 2007
Scientists believe that finding a way to bury the world's greenhouse gas problem -- quite literally -- could be an important step to curbing climate change, but the technology is still in its infancy. The technology would capture carbon dioxide released by power plants or other factories, transport it and bury it underground -- either in old oil fields or coal mines, or even at the bottom of the ocean.

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