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Advanced Portable Power
ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY - ABERDEEN Media Source: ARMY SBIR/STTR Success Stories website
 
About the Technology:
Click to View Full Size ImageAdvancements in telecommunications and electronic weaponry are key to a dismounted Soldier’s ability to leverage portable electronic equipment during combat. Laptops, GPS, night vision goggles, cellular phones, two way-radios, laser-designators, chemical-biological sensors, and other portable electronic devices require equally portable and sustainable DC power sources to maintain the Soldier’s technological advantage.

Currently, primary batteries provide the majority of portable DC power for the dismounted Soldier; however, major drawbacks are added weight and low power density. For example, in a typical 72-hour mission, up to half of the rucksack weight for a dismounted Soldier outfitted with standard electronic gear is in primary batteries. This creates a logistical problem for Soldiers who must prioritize either extra batteries or adequate ammunition and supplies. The ever-growing power demands for the Soldier’s electronic gear exacerbates this dilemma. As this power gap widens and today’s Soldier becomes increasingly networked on the battlefield, portable DC power sources must provide much higher energy density than current state of the art can supply.
 
Applications:   Military and Commercial Significance:
INI Power Systems, Inc. is developing a proprietary direct methanol fuel cell system as a portable power solution to replace/augment primary batteries. This initial concept was demonstrated via a Phase I STTR award. With continued engineering efforts, INI Power will deliver a Personal Power Plant (IP3) to the Army. The IP3 will enable the dismounted Soldier to reduce the weight burden from primary batteries by nearly five times for a 72-hour mission. This improvement in power density assists in transitioning to a more mobile fighting force with greater tactical capabilities and firepower.   Funded research will lead to environmentally friendly, superior power sources for use in both the public and private sector for applications in a broad range of portable electronics. Army Research Laboratory Phase I and Phase II STTR contracts totaled $850K and facilitated collaboration with researchers at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
 
Industry Contact:   Government Contact:
INI Power Systems, Inc.
136 Quade Drive
Cary, NC 27513

E-Mail: julie@inipower.com
Telephone: (919) 677-1654
Country: USA
   US Army Research Laboratory
 


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