Protonex Technology Share Discussion Threads

[the_doctor] 16/6/2010 10:39

as expected, price knocked by sellers

[the_doctor] 13/5/2010 06:22

Interesting news
For a shareholder, staying in means win or lose, hoping that they get funding later - no option to jump off half way
but at the same time, for a prospective buyer that couldnt get in on a fund raising, now is the only time to get in

[robson1974] 16/3/2010 21:40

I have started a Fuel Cell Sector and Stock thread for comparing and contrasting the valuation of the various companies, please drop in...i have added some links to research in the header, if you have any other decent links please suggest on thread and I will add the good ones to the header

[redredblack] 22/1/2010 15:11

Super-soldier exoskeleton to get 3-day fuel cell powerpack
Mech-troopers will be able to plug in gadgetry, too

By Lewis Page • Get more from this author

Posted in Science, 22nd January 2010 12:32 GMT


A radical powered exoskeleton under development for use by the US military is to be fitted with fuel-cell power supplies which will increase its endurance from hours to days - and furnish juice for the burgeoning load of electronics carried by modern soldiers, too.

Global arms behemoth Lockheed, developing the Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC™) after buying the originating firm Berkely Bionics, announced this week that fuel-cell firm Protonex will "develop power supply concepts that will enable the HULC™ robotic exoskeleton to support 72+-hour extended missions". Here's a company promo vid about the HULC:



Protonex has previously worked on military fuel cells for the US Army, using proton-exchange-membrane cells running on reformed methanol fuel. With today's soldiers carrying increasing amounts of portable electronics - night-vision devices, weapon sights, comms - there's an urgent need for options other than carrying mountains of spare batteries or lugging engine-driven generators about.

The HULC powered suit runs on li-ion batteries at present. Though it allows a soldier to march easily with a load of 200lb, it normally runs flat after just a few hours - significantly less if any jogging or running is done.

But Lockheed believe that a fuel cell powered version could go for days on one fill of juice. Even better, it would offer power sockets for all the wearer's other electronics, meaning that spare - or even, perhaps, primary - batteries could be left behind.

Rich Russell, Lockheed bigwig, describes this as a "whole system" approach. "With proper power management systems, the HULC can be used to recharge critical equipment while carrying heavy combat loads on an extended mission," he says.

Stripping the batteries from a soldier or spec-ops trooper's load would free up the entire mighty carrying capacity of the HULC for more attractive options such as armour, weapons etc. We here on the military crazytech desk have previously pointed out that remote-controlled powered gun mounts as light as 55lb can be had, able to handle various heavy weapons normally requiring a tripod or bipod for dismounted infantry use. These would be ideal for installation above a HULC-wearer's shoulder, and easily set up so as to train the big gun to follow a head-mounted monocle pointing rig of some sort.

Other accessories already offered include an armour-plated "ballistic shield" to be mounted in front of a wearer's body, or "heating or cooling systems, sensors and other custom attachments".

The Reg interviewed HULC inventor Russdon Angold in his suit last year. His demonstration confirmed Lockheed's claims that the suit is quite mobile and capable of running, squatting, kneeling etc without difficulty. It offers no assistance to the wearer's arms, but over-the-shoulder frames can be used along with a lifting strop to hoist heavy objects off the ground or support kit in front of the user.

Lockheed reps said the suit was still "in ruggedisation" at that point, however. They envisaged trials to gain input from actual US troops beginning this summer. ®

[investinggarden] 12/11/2009 11:15

Speculative Buy rating from Growth Company Investor

[dwinter74] 07/5/2009 07:07

Although it's a sensible move, I doubt defence budgets will remain untouched... so yes, they'll be looking for funding no doubt.

[jonwig] 07/5/2009 06:45

Yes, saw that dwinter.
No mention of the word 'profit' of course, and they'll be into fundraising at the end of next year.

[dwinter74] 06/5/2009 09:32

Strategic update:

[jonwig] 12/1/2009 15:10

Thanks Andy.

PTX should survive, thanks to US Defense contracts involving grants and possibly sales.
Not many fuel cell companies can boast that.

[jonwig] 11/8/2008 15:20

Yup - the US military might just be good for business, judging by current developments.

This, of course, is where PTX is getting most of its revenue and contracts.

[jonwig] 14/6/2008 05:18

Recent developments:

Progress in Developing SOFC APUs for Heavy-Duty Trucks

[jonwig] 21/5/2008 18:13

Website redesigned:

[jonwig] 01/5/2008 16:27

No question, Protonex is having a good April. They have just won a $3.6m order from the US Army for its Pulse M250 portable fuel cells, just two weeks after landing a $1.6m deal to develop fuel cells for the US Navy's UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Fuel Cells have been for almost everyone, a huge disappointment. What is fascinating is how keen the US Military is to deploy them. This is one of the rare and not fully appreciated success stories for fuel cells in recent times and I would venture, in the years to come.

Soldiers - especially infantrymen - are increasingly carrying a lot of electronic kit with them and they need power. These gadgets might include Night Vision Goggles, laptops, radios, mobile phones (for backup), micro and small UAVs, laser target designators, telescopic sights etc.

There is however only so much weight an infantryman can carry in the field. Hence the demand for portable fuel cells which have a higher energy density per kilo - around 350 watts - than batteries. The nature of warfare - particularly the low intensity, discretely kinetic kind to win hearts and minds like in Iraq and Afghanistan - is shifting the application of force from the huge weapons platforms of the past to the grunt on the ground. It's much easier and cheaper to launch a portable UAV to look over the hill than request air recon from a jet or helicopter.

Certainly, fuel cells have come in for some stick for being so expensive. But the costs are calculated very differently when it comes to saving or even taking lives compared to an extended run time on your ipod.

[jonwig] 29/4/2008 08:16

Newsflow suggests a large part of their development program is funded by US government/military. Also pretty reasonable cash position anyway.

Quite a few Edison Research notes (sponsored by the company):



Bought a very few at mid-price this morning, though I don't expect an imminent re-rating back to the 100p area.

[jonwig] 18/2/2008 08:54

I think this could be one of the better FC stocks which are London-quoted. My 'fav', IdaTech [IDA] is short of cash - results due 19/03, so we'll see and decide then whether to buy.

A problem which could be significant: there are two classes of share, PTX which is not CREST-settled, and PTXU, which is settled under CREST.
A UK broker may not allow dealing in PTX, and the trouble here is the quote ...

PTX: 68 - 73
PTXU:85 - 90

If I decide to buy, it will have to be PTX - will report back.

[the_doctor] 07/2/2008 10:30

Got it, you can take your email off now

[jonwig] 07/2/2008 10:26

Doctor - would be very grateful ... thanks!!

[old tom howard] 07/2/2008 10:09

thanks

[e-mail]

[the_doctor] 07/2/2008 10:04

I've got a good review. I wont have time to read it for a while, but can email it over if you want?