"My View of DCH Technology in Nov of 1999"
DCH Technology has gone to extraordinary* lengths to position its hydrogen sensors for three areas:
1) Industrial markets which exist, use conventional sensor technology and have to be "broken into" to replace the conventional sensors with the superior solid state ones - i.e. refineries, metal processing, nuclear power plants.
2) Industrial markets which exist and could benefit from hydrogen sensor technology, but currently do not use it - i.e. water purification facilities, nuclear waste containment, power plant turbines, electrical transformers, space propulsion.
3) Industrial markets which do not yet exist but are CLEARLY being developed - i.e. stationary fuel cells, fuel cells for transportation, liquid hydrogen for transportation, compressed hydrogen for transportation, hydrogen/natural gas mixing, home/renewable electrolytic hydrogen production.
Nanotubes are an unexpected surprise. Hydrogen nanotube storage represents an approaching node of divergence in the course of civilization. With nanotube storage of energy, we have safe devices. Safe cars. Safe batteries. CLEAN AIR. And they run for months or years between hydrogen fuel resupply. The insurance industry will be instrumental in causing the end of gasoline in consumer transportation upon the arrival of nanotube storage technology.
Nanotubes represent the death of the methanol industry, as well, and the transformation of the petroleum industry and the automobile industry. A vehicle using nanotube storage, a fuel cell and an electric drive will have very few moving parts and little demand for maintenance. There are excellent short-term arguments based on cost that favor the internal combustion engine, but ultimately the fuel cell vehicle will cause the extinction of ICE.
The technology of nanotube storage is proven. We are now hearing rumors of proprietary research toward marketability. The U.S. government has stated recently that nanotube storage is a few years away. However, there is a distinct lag between the government and industry, which moves aggressively and secretly in its own interest. I expect surprises in the near future.
What this means for the investor is clear. Regardless of fuel cell or ICE technology, DCH has positioned itself remarkably well as a supplier for every device requiring safety monitoring. That is every high-dollar item.
Oh yes, and then there are the DCH Technology fuel cells...
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*DCH Technology is not only active, but a leader in developing the Hydrogen Future. Ideas are moving from David Haberman through the National Hydrogen Association and Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel (i.e. safety and developmental infrastructure), and the Department of Energy (i.e. maritime hydrogen propulsion). I'm sorry, but the only comparison I can come up with is what Microsoft did in its infancy. However, DCH has greater focus, influence and connections. DCH is moving, along with a handful of companies who are properly defining the meaning of true social responsibility, in a consistant manner toward building the Hydrogen Future. That is a big goal. I, for one, am not impatient with their progress. I applaud it.
-- Rickmas |
