May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- QUANTUM Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IMPCO
Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: IMCO, news, msgs), announced today that Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratories (LLNL) was awarded the prestigious Technology Innovation Award by the Hydrogen Technical
Advisory Panel (HTAP) for achieving a breakthrough in advanced hydrogen storage technology as a
collaborative effort with QUANTUM and ATK Thiokol Propulsion, an operating company of Alliant
Techsystems (NYSE: ATK, news, msgs). HTAP was established by Congress to review U.S. Department of
Energy programs and to be an advisory committee to the Secretary of Energy.
In August 2000, a team of scientists from QUANTUM, LLNL, and Thiokol successfully hydroburst-tested a
high performance prototype hydrogen storage cylinder designed for Fuel Cell Vehicle applications (FCVs) and
achieved a performance record of 11.3% hydrogen storage by weight at 5,000 psig (350 Bar). Once
commercialized, this breakthrough in technology extends the range of fuel cell vehicles to the equivalent of
gasoline vehicles. HTAP singled out the work of this team for the significant advances of this project toward
the development of high cycle-life energy storage systems for various applications including zero emission
vehicles, pushing the envelope for lightweight compressed hydrogen storage tanks, and developing products
for commercial use.
"DOE has been funding and reviewing hydrogen production, storage, and
distribution programs since the early 1990's, and now, by virtue of this
award, it is evident that the HTAP recognizes the strides made in direct
on-board hydrogen storage that are cost-effective, durable, and safe for
automotive use," according to Dr. Neel Sirosh, Director of QUANTUM's
Advanced Fuel Storage Group. "We are now translating this innovative
technology into fully validated commercial products for our automotive OEM
customers," said Dr. Sirosh.
QUANTUM's TriShield hydrogen storage tanks are uniquely designed and
manufactured with a one-piece permeation-resistant seamless liner, a
high-performance carbon composite over-wrap for strength, and a proprietary,
tough impact-resistant shell. The tank is designed to meet all applicable
regulatory standards and OEM-specific validation tests.
QUANTUM Technologies Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of IMPCO Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: IMCO,
news, msgs). QUANTUM is focused on the development of enabling fuel storage technologies for
manufacturers of alternative propulsion and energy for emerging global markets. |
