ALBANY, N.Y., May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Harris Corporation
(NYSE: HRS), and MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., a subsidiary of Mechanical
Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTY), will discuss future military applications for
micro fuel cells and demonstrate a direct methanol micro fuel cell (DMFC)
power-pack prototype powering a Harris FALCON II tactical, handheld radio at
the Third Annual Congressional Fuel Cell Expo today in Washington, D.C.
The Expo, sponsored by the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and supported by the
U.S. Department of Energy, brings together Congressional leaders, officials
from federal agencies and leading fuel cell developers to examine the latest
activities in the field.
A micro fuel cell is an energy-generating device that creates power
through the chemical reaction of a fuel in the presence of a catalyst. MTI
MicroFuel Cells Inc. (MTI Micro) is developing micro fuel cell power systems
as a future power supply for portable electronic devices. Harris RF
Communications Division is a supplier of secure voice and data communications
products, systems and networks to military, government, and commercial
organizations worldwide.
In November of 2002, MTI Micro and Harris announced an agreement for the
development of DMFC system prototypes for potential use in Harris' FALCON II
tactical handheld radios.
"Our work with MTI Micro is part of Harris' commitment to the development
of new technologies that can increase the functionality and use time for a
soldier's equipment while reducing the weight of the necessary power sources,"
said Chester A. Massari, president of Harris RF Communications Division.
The MTI Micro-Harris prototype is currently producing a power output of
5 watts with a peak power of 25 watts and an energy content of greater than
50-watt hours. This prototype is currently in the form factor of the two most
used military batteries that power a wide array of military communications
devices and equipment.
"Just six months after starting our work with Harris, the prototype is
powering the radio and putting out twice the energy of the radio's internal
battery," said Dr. William Acker, president and CEO of MTI Micro. "It is also
approaching the energy of the external rechargeable battery -- the BB390,
putting us on a clear pathway to reach our goal of exceeding the greater
energy content of the primary battery -- the BA 5590. This work is an
important step on the path to developing and delivering a variety of micro
fuel cell power products for military, homeland security and civilian defense
agencies worldwide."
MTI Micro also demonstrated a prototype powering a camera phone -- which
is being developed for future commercial applications -- and discussed its
recent technical advancements including the operation of its DMFC technology
platform on 100% methanol fuel in repeated laboratory tests. These tests --
where pure methanol is being fed directly into the fuel cell -- are resulting
in 0.9 watt hours of energy per cubic centimeters (cc) of fuel and producing
more than three times the energy of most current lithium ion batteries, which
is an important step in developing full systems capable of performance
exceeding the best batteries. MTI Micro's latest prototypes have already
advanced to operate on an increased concentration of approximately
50% methanol.
About Harris RF Communications Division
Harris RF Communications Division is a leading supplier of secure voice
and data communications products, systems and networks to military,
government, and commercial organizations worldwide. Harris Corporation is an
international communications equipment company focused on providing product,
system, and service solutions for commercial and government customers. The
company's five operating divisions serve markets for government
communications, tactical radio, broadcast, microwave, and network support
systems. Harris serves customers in more than 150 countries. Additional
information about Harris Corporation is available at http://www.harris.com.
About MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc.
MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Inc.,
(Nasdaq: MKTY), is developing proprietary direct methanol micro fuel cell
systems with the goal of commercialization commencing in 2004. The company
has a world-class team of entrepreneurial business executives, researchers and
scientists; a proprietary direct methanol micro fuel cell power system and a
number of system prototypes demonstrating size reductions, performance
improvements, the ability to operate in any orientation, and operation at a
range of power outputs; significant related intellectual property; and
government awards and developed strategic partnerships to help accelerate
commercialization. For more information: http://www.mechtech.com.
About The US Fuel Cell Council
The USFCC is an industry association dedicated to fostering the
commercialization of fuel cells in the United States. Its members include
some of the world's leading fuel cell developers, manufacturers, suppliers and
customers. The USFCC conducts a full range of technical, educational and
outreach activities in support of the industry and its goals. More
information on the USFCC can be seen on their website at http://www.usfcc.com.
Statements in this press release which are not historical fact including
statements regarding managements intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations,
representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include statements regarding
the direct methanol micro fuel cell (DMFC) prototype performance and potential
performance, DMFC system flexibility and scalability, market entry targets and
dates, prospects for the development, manufacturing and market potential of
DMFCs, and the potential impact of recent technical advancement on future
product performance. It is important to note that the Company's actual
results may differ materially from those in any such forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
include, among others, risks related to financing, uncertainties in
development, manufacturing, competition and consumer demand for DMFCs, and the
risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports including
but not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
2002 and Quarterly Reports on form 10-Q.
SOURCE MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.usfcc.com
http://www.harris.com http://www.mechtech.com
CONTACT:
Nancy Heslin, Marketing and Communications
Program Manager, +1-518-533-2218, nheslin@mechtech.com, or George
Relan, Director of Investor Relations, +1-518-533-2200,
grelan@mechtech.com, both of MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc.
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