Electrode active areas of metal hydride fuel cells have been scaled up from 60 cm2 to 250 cm2, enabling systems to be scaled up to 500 Watts.[11] The scaling up of electrode active areas also provided capabilities to develop higher power fuel cell stacks, each with 1500 Watts of power.[6] Metal hydride fuel cells have achieved a current density of 250 mA/cm2.[12] To test durability, fuel cell stacks were successfully operated for more than 7000 hours.[12]
During the earlier phases of product development, there was a focus on single fuel cells and fuel cell stacks composed of multiple cells. The target applications included critical backup power for military and commercial applications.[13] The next phase was to design and build complete fuel cell systems that could be taken outside of the laboratory. Initial 50 Watt laboratory-based demonstration systems were integrated into 50 Watt portable systems with more robust packaging and interfacing.[12] Additional developments in both the fuel cell stack and system integration enabled a 1.0 kW system, complete with an inverter and onboard hydrogen storage using metal hydride storage canisters, to be operated and demonstrated in public.[6][14] Further developments in metal hydride fuel cell systems were pursued for the field power needs of soldiers, resulting in a prototype system meeting deployment requirements.[15] In tandem with product development, there was also a focus on developing capabilities for manufacturing and testing.[16] Metal hydride fuel cell systems have been integrated into microgrid systems at military bases for testing and evaluation.[17] Despite challenges,[18] the military maintains an active interest in fuel cells for a broad range of applications, including unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicle, light-duty trucks, buses, and wearable technology systems.[19][20][21][22] Development of metal hydride fuel cell systems is continuing for military applications, with onboard hydrogen generation and fuel cells up to 5.0 kW.[23][24]
^Wang, X.H.; Chen, Y.; Pan, H.G.; Xu, R.G.; Li, S.Q.; L.X., Chen; Chen, C.P.; Wang, Q.D. (20 December 1999). "Electrochemical properties of Ml(NiCoMnCu)5 used as an alkaline fuel cell anode". Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 293–295: 833–837. doi:10.1016/S0925-8388(99)00367-9.
^Tanaka, H.; Kaneki, N.; Hara, H.; Shimada, K.; Takeuchi, T. (April 1986). "La—Ni system porous anode in an alkaline fuel cell". The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering. 64 (2): 267–271. doi:10.1002/cjce.5450640216.
^Schwartz, Brian; Fritzsche, Hellmut (28 February 2009). The Science and Technology of an American Genius: Stanford R Ovshinsky. World Scientific Pub Co Inc. ISBN978-9812818393.
^Encyclopedia of electrochemical power sources. Garche, Jürgen., Dyer, Chris K. Amsterdam: Academic Press. 2009. ISBN9780444527455. OCLC656362152.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^Fok, Kevin (4 December 2006). "Metal Hydride Fuel Cells, A New and Practical Approach for Backup and Emergency Power Applications". INTELEC 06 - Twenty-Eighth International Telecommunications Energy Conference. pp. 1–6. doi:10.1109/INTLEC.2006.251656. ISBN1-4244-0430-4. S2CID43062441.
