Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550

A -- LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SEEKS INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS FOR MINIATURE THIN FILM FUEL CELLS FOR PORTABLE POWER APPLICATIONS (MINIFC) SOL CBD00-029 DUE 072700 POC Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization (925) 423-3139 WEB: Click here to go to LLNL's Technology Transfer website., http://www.llnl.gov/IPandC/Technology/techno-license.html. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). LLNL is seeking collaborators in the commercialization and further development of miniature fuel cell devices for battery replacement in the 0.5-50 Watt range. Fuel cells have significant potential to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gases through electrochemical conversion of hydrogen fuel and oxygen to create electric power. Fuel cells have experienced increased attention in recent years, mainly as a viable alternative for transportation and electric vehicle power, along with stationary generators for powering homes and businesses. Additionally, fuel cells are being considered as alternatives to batteries for applications in portable electronics. Fuel cells have a potentially significant advantage over batteries since the energy is stored as fuel rather than as part of the electrolyte materials as is the case with batteries. Miniature fuel cells will potentially provide lighter weight, longer lasting power sources for the full range of consumer electronics. The LLNL fuel cell consists of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) consisting of electrodes, catalyst, and electrolyte materials. The MEA is assembled between manifold plates to deliver fuel and oxidant from reservoirs external to the fuel cell. Researchers at LLNL have developed a novel approach to form a manifold in a host structure upon which a thin film membrane electrode assembly is fabricated. The approach allows flexibility in the choice of both materials and fuels, thereby offering a range of operational temperatures, efficiencies, and specific energy densities for specified applications. The fuel cell stacks include proton exchange membrane (PEM-FC) and low temperature (<400 C) thin-film solid-oxide fuel cell (TFSOFC) devices. The miniature fuel cell, potentially smaller than a small coin, further includes internal heating elements and electronic system control for power conditioning, peak power, and startup. Collaborators are sought with technical and scientific expertise in the areas of fuel cell operation and materials, electrochemical processes, ceramics, packaging, and catalysis. Successful collaborators will have an established history of manufacturing and marketing fuel cells, batteries, and/or power sources in volume. Additionally, the collaborator will have demonstrated a consistent record of research and development, experience, and expertise in fuel cell and power source technologies and applications. A successful collaboration would include a corporate commitment for resources and funding to this project. While it is likely that successful collaborators would be for profit businesses, successful collaborations may also include state, federal, or local governmental agencies, or universities. Mechanisms for collaborations may include licensing, work for others, or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). Any non-licensing collaboration must include a significant funds-in component to LLNL for the development of pre-production prototypes to be successfully considered. LLNL has a significant and burgeoning core of scientific and intellectual property background, and issued and pending patents, for this project. Additional information regarding Miniature Thin Film Fuel Cells for portable power applications may be obtained at http://www.llnl.gov/IPandC/Technology/techno-license.html To ensure consideration, interested parties must respond in writing to LLNL by July 14, 2000 and provide the following information: (1) the name and address of your organization, (2) the name, address, telephone number, and fax number of a point of contact, (3) the business, product, and financial history of your organization, (4) a description of your organization's expertise and facilities in the areas of fuel cells or other power sources, (5) the organizational history of research and development funding, and (6) the resources your organization could commit to this project. Statementsof interest should be sent to: Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization Office Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551 Attention: CBD00-029 MiniFC THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Posted 06/27/00 (W-SN468952). (0179)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0002 20000629\A-0002.SOL)