DCHT strikes first blood on the international front for fuel cells,
VITA Board?s Dog and Pony Show Demonstrates Fuel Cell Technologies
10/22/99 VITA (Volunteers in Technical Assistance)?an organization dedicated to
applying advanced microelectronics and space technology to the dissemination of
technical information for development and humanitarian purposes?plans to demonstrate
a variety of communications technologies powered by fuel cells at their fall board
meeting Monday, Oct. 25.
VITA received the first Pioneer's Preference Award from the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission for its efforts in bringing communications to the
developing world. The organization's arsenal of communications technologies includes
low-earth orbiting satellites and a variety of wireless systems emphasizing rural
applications.
DCH Technology (DCHT), a familiar name in the safety and power generation arenas,
plans to present the fuel cell stack demonstration for the VITA board.
"What we are trying to accomplish with the fuel cell demo is to show our board some
of the technologies we are working with that have the potential for making a difference
in the lives of the poor,? said Gary Garriott, VITA?s informatics director. ?VITA wants
to be at the hub of a network of experts and information to be able to recommend
innovative solutions to problems of energy and communications.?
Having conducted research on the use of portable fuels cells in developing countries as
a graduate student more than 20 years ago, Garriott said DCHT?s work holds a
personal interest for him as well.
?This is exciting work,? Garriott said. ?For the past four decades, VITA has defined its
mission as empowering the poor in developing countries. The organization provides
developing countries with the technical information that has enabled them to feed their
young, minister to community health needs, increase the productivity of their
businesses, generate steadier and higher incomes, and preserve their country's natural
resources?in essence, information that has improved the quality of lives.?
To date, more than a quarter of a million requests for information have been answered
through the not-for-profit organization?s volunteer-based Inquiry Service. And, VITA
operates field microenterprise projects throughout Africa and hosts the Disaster
Information Resource Center, matching donors of material and human resources with
groups aiding disaster victims.
If you would like more information about the technologies being demonstrated at the
VITA board meeting or would like to volunteer your expertise on existing or future
projects, visit VITA?s website, vita.org.
Edited by April C. Murelio
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