Product category: Electronics Manufacturing Machinery and Materials
News Release from: BASF
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 15 March 2006
Fuel cell technology makes
power from formic acid
BASF is working with Tekion, a North American developer of micro fuel cells for portable electronic products, to develop and fuel cell technology that uses formic acid as the fuel
BASF is the world's leading chemical company and the largest producer of formic acid. BASF and Tekion will jointly develop and test a tailor made formic acid fuel composition formulation. The two companies will also work together on the development of applicable codes and standards and will share their expertise on materials compatibility for fuel cells.
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 15 March 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Materials alliance to expand printed electronics
BASF Future Business is working with US company Polyera Corporation to develop and commercialise new organic semiconductors and dielectrics for use in CMOS-analogue printed circuits
Laser-structurable polyamide makes 3D circuits
Kromberg and Schubert has developed the first 3D-MID electronic components made of BASF's new laser-structurable polyamide
Tekion's lead commercial application is a proprietary miniature 'power pack' capable of fitting inside or attaching to mobile electronic devices and allowing these devices to be off the grid.
It is a micro fuel cell/battery hybrid offered to the market as the Formira Power Pack.
A micro fuel cell recharges the battery allowing extended operation.
Further reading
Materials centre progresses on schedule
Construction work is progressing as scheduled on a new integrated production plant for process chemicals for the semiconductor industry
Alliance brings strippers and cleaners to Europe
Dynaloy and BASF have entered into an expanded sales and distribution agreement for strippers and cleaners used in the IC industry for wafer level packaging and bumping steps
The power packs are refuelled with the simple swapping of a cartridge containing formic acid.
Neil Huff, President and CEO of Tekion, says: 'We are extremely excited to be working with BASF.
Their knowledge of formic acid and applicable chemical expertise will assist us tremendously in the commercialisation of our Formira Power Pack'.
Mark Volmer, Head of the Regional Business Unit Acids in BASF's Intermediates Division, says: 'We are fascinated by Tekion's innovative energy solution and will gladly support the development by contributing our comprehensive experience as the leading global supplier of formic acid'.
Tekion's unique product technology provides a competitive advantage for portable electronic products in the power range up to 50W and energy range up to 100Wh.
Several products and markets fall within these power and energy levels including: industrial handheld computers, satellite communication devices, notebook PCs and other mobile products.
As the world's largest producer of formic acid, with production facilities at the integrated Verbund sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Nanjing, China, BASF makes the acid out of carbon monoxide and methanol, which are synthesised to form methyl formate in the first step.
In the second step, this is then split up by means of water into methanol and formic acid.
The acid helps to keep certain feeds fresh and free of salmonellae, removes paints and rust from metallic surfaces and scale from kettles and boilers.
In breweries and wineries it disinfects kegs, casks and barrels; applied as an auxiliary in the pharmaceutical and crop protection industry it regulates pH values; in cleaning it acts as dirt remover and disinfectant.
• BASF: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• NEW
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Related Business News
Taiwan stocks end down in biggest...
...drop in over 1 yr. Taipei, July 27 (Reuters) - Taiwan shares fell 4.22 percent on Friday to their lowest close in three weeks, marking their largest one-day percentage drop in more than a year, after a sell-off on Wall Street hurt big exporters such as TSMC .
Nippon Oil Aug refining seen flat, eyes Sudan crude
Tokyo, July 27 (Reuters) - Japan's top oil refiner Nippon Oil Corp. will keep its August processing volumes steady versus a year ago to meet summer gasoline demand and is seeking more Nile Blend crude to meet higher utility use.
Fluor Gains Eastman Chemical Gasification Plant Feed Work
Fluor Corporation announced today that it was selected by Eastman Chemical Company to provide front-end engineering and design work for a $1.6 billion gasification project along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Migao Corporation Secures Preferential Natural Gas Prices
Toronto, Ontario-- - Migao Corporation , a leading producer of specialty potash fertilizers for the Chinese market, is pleased to announce that it has negotiated preferential natural gas prices in Sichuan Province from China Petroleum & Chemical Corpora
South Korean envoy to meet Afghan...
...president over hostage crisis. A Seoul presidential envoy heading to Afghanistan will seek an urgent meeting with President Hamid Karzai to try to save 22 South Koreans kidnapped by the Taliban, officials said.
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
