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WASHINGTON, April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
SMALL FUEL CELLS CONFERENCE -- MTI MicroFuel Cells
Inc. (MTI Micro), the developer of the award-winning
Mobion(TM) micro fuel cell battery replacement technology, made public a study
today that examines the increasing challenges faced by the U.S. Military to
keep up with personal power demands of modern soldiers. Jane's Information
Group, a leading independent provider of intelligence and analysis on national
and international defense, conducted the study. MTI commissioned the study
as part of the Company's plans to deliver fuel cell-based military solutions
to the government in 2006.
The study cites unmet power demands created by the
rapid advances in technology that are making modern
combat soldiers exponentially better equipped and
better informed than their predecessors. From night
vision goggles and satellite communications to smart
weapons and networked sensors, the battlefield has
become an increasingly electronic and power-hungry
landscape. In the U.S. Army inventory alone there
are currently between 450 and 500 items dependent
upon batteries to enable some or all of their functionality.
Additional
study highlights include:
*
The electronics requirements of the Future Soldier
require substantial technological improvements
to ensure that power advances keep pace with transformational
technologies.
*
U.S. Army has established high aspirations for
improved equipment powering capabilities during
the next decade. Current power sources are provided
to meet the requirements of a typical 12-hour mission,
and the aim is to meet the requirements of a 24-hour
mission by 2007-8 and a 72- hour mission by 2012.
*
From stepped up border patrols in support of homeland
security efforts to the development of new, super-trained,
super-equipped, multi-role military units, the
trend towards the individual warfighter as "command node" is likely to accelerate
in the coming years.
*
The addition of sensors and other aids to the individual
soldier in this new environment has led to a dramatic
increase in the demands for portable power sources.
This requirement is by no means limited to the
infantry. There has been an explosion in the need
for advanced communications, surveillance, situational
awareness and IT systems through the military
and homeland security infrastructure. The power
requirements for this growing inventory are largely
supplied by batteries.
*
Looking at current procurement trends, public statements
from military leaders, and the R&D pipeline of
almost every major contractor, it is clear that the
trend toward equipment providing "extended connectivity" will
intensify. * Preparing for the Future Soldier and
the required electronics package will require a combination
of technological and managerial improvements in the
coming years to ensure that power advances keep pace
with transformational technologies.
The study concludes by saying that although smart bombs, space weapons, and
nano-sized war machines will undoubtedly continue to capture the lion's share
of national attention, solving power supply problems is likely to provide a
far more tangible benefit to the troops at the front lines. The U.S. Army is
likely to be at the forefront of the military in terms of testing and adopting
new battery alternative technologies.
About MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc.
MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Incorporated,
( NASDAQ:MKTY )
, is the developer of the award winning Mobion(TM) direct methanol micro fuel
cell technology. The Company has a world-class team of entrepreneurial business
executives, researchers and scientists; a number of system prototypes demonstrating
size reductions and performance improvements; significant related intellectual
property; and has received government awards and developed strategic partnerships
to help accelerate commercialization. More information is available at http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/
Source: MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc.
CONTACT: George Relan of MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., +1-518-533-2220,
grelan@mechtech.com ; or Julie Lydon,
Sparkpr, +1-603-433-0086,
jlydon@sparkpr.com
Web site: http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/
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