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Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies

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Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies
IndustryEngineering, fuel cell, fuel cell vehicle
Founded2003; 21 years ago (2003)
Singapore
FoundersGeorge Gu
Taras Wankewycz
Headquarters
Singapore
,
Singapore
ProductsAutomotive, telecom, defense/aerospace, consumer products, datacenters, recreational outdoors, and security
SubsidiariesHyzon Motors
Websitewww.horizonfuelcell.com

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies is a manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cells based in Singapore. Founded in 2003, the company manufactures micro-size to multi-kilowatt scale (PEM) proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Additionally, it uses hydrogen storage and production methods, including hydrolysis, electrolysis and steam reforming.

History

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In 2004, Horizon began its PEM fuel cell stacks with a focus on a self-humidified air-breathing architecture and began a series of design and development iterations that reduce fuel cell costs.[1]

H-Racer

In 2005, with the completion of a low-cost single cell, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies created a commercial micro-size fuel cell product, designed as a basic science experiment kit.[1] Horizon then miniaturized a hydrogen fuel cell car together with a solar hydrogen station, and released the H-racer, which was named Transportation Best Invention of the year 2006 by Time[2] and "One of 11 Coolest New Products On the Planet" by Business 2.0.[3]

In April 2007, fuel cells of hydrogen were used to power the first[3] unmanned zero-emission fuel cell powered jet-wing aircraft, and set a new FAI flight distance record in a 5 kg LAV developed by Cal state-LA, backed by NASA and US Air Force Research Laboratory.[1] In August, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies received the 2007 Innovative Energy Technology Developer of the Year Award in the Asia Pacific region.[3]

In 2008, a portable fuel cell named HYDROPLANE[3] represented the start of Horizon's chemical hydrolysis cartridge research and development.[1] at the Consumer Electronics Show. Horizon also began work on a reversible metal hydride that led to the commercialization of Hydrostik cartridges.[4]

The MINIPAK

In 2009, Horizon created a palm-size micro portable fuel cell USB power supply named Mintaka at the Consumer Electronics Show.[3] It later won the 2012 Gadget of the Year status for Gamekeeper.[5][6][7][8] Horizon opened a separate subsidiary in Singapore named Horizon Energy Systems (HES),[1] and in 2010 unveiled a first 450Wh/kg battery alternative prototype named Aerospace. HES plans to exceed 1,00 WH/kg with its hydrogen technologies in the future.

In 2010, BOC (now part of Lind Group) introduced a Horizon-made 150 W portable fuel cell power supply named Rhymer for sale in the United Kingdom.[1] It is used in construction and railway maintenance – and in off-the-grid lighting projects.[9] With 3D Classwork[3] Horizon promoted environmental awareness for sustainable energy amongst students around the world in a joint program called Destination Zero Carbon.

In 2013 the Hydro max VRLA battery charger for recreational vehicles and yachts[1] were released, and Aquiline, a salable 200W-50 kW back-up power system for telecom, data centers, and security solutions.[buzzword] In January, the Fuel cell-powered H-Rover was unveiled at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair.[10] Horizon released i-HUGO, its latest hydrogen car miniature merging an iOS remote control APP, Horizon's hybrid micro-fuel cell power systems, and a USB enabled hydrogen station.

The Hydroplane was released,[1] representing a breakthrough 9%Wt hydrogen storage method.[1]

Products

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Horizon's technology platform has three parts: PEM fuel cells (micro-fuel cells and stacks) and their materials, hydrogen supply (electrolysis, reforming, and hydrolysis), and hydrogen storage and pressure related devices.

Fuel cell stacks are offered in three ranges:

The Hydrofil
  • standard off-the-shelf PEM fuel cell systems available from 10W to 5 kW, or customized fuel cell system configurations up to 150 kW;
  • premium H-1000XP 1 kW stacks with peak efficiency of 59% proven during testing at Shell Eco-Marathon in Asia;
  • ultra-light and compact Aerospace from 200W to 1,000W.
fuel cell powered Hydro car

Educational products and kits. A toy car was used to show a thin-film micro-fuel cell.[11] A fuel cell car kit was used in a competitive racing format. This led to the start of Destination Zero Carbon, a global STEM education program. The South African Agency for Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation have a video about the importance of making Science fun to boost research.[12] Horizon's H-CELL product is featured in the video.[11] In May 2013, French Minister of Industry, Frédéric Cuvillier[13] hands out the Saint Jo 24  hour race's trophy cup specially made for this challenge, which was to keep a hydrogen-powered car using rainwater, with hydrolysis done by solar panels, working under competitive conditions for 24  hours non-stop. The winning car was powered by Horizon Fuel Cell.[3] It was the first time that a hydrogen-powered car finished the 24  hour race,[14] a one-tenth replica of 24 Hours of Le Mans for radio-controlled car.

Portable fuel cells are designed for, clean electric power generation in various off-grid emergency situations. They are deployed in:

  • Mintaka for cellphones, smartphones, GPS handhelds, Go-Pro type cameras or MP 3 players
  • Hydroplane (50 kW - 100 kW), energy cartridges with unlimited storage life.
  • Hydro max, a deep cycle battery capacity extender for recreational use (RV, yachting)

Stationary backup power units are developed internally or with integrator and partners seeking to develop cost-effective solutions.[buzzword][15]

The transport division works closely with integration partners that cater both to the car industry (supplying fuel cells to the Riversimple Urban Car or Micro cab)[16][17] and offers an Electric Bike Kit, a plug and play hydrogen fuel cell system to hybrid with existing electric bikes.

The aerospace division focuses on lightweight alternatives to batteries, where fuel cell systems combined with hydrogen generators increase electric flight duration. Early applications include monitoring wildlife poaching activity over large territories, pipeline monitoring, border patrol and geological surveys.[18] Paternoster, a 5 kW aircraft developed with Oklahoma State University and Calstate[19] flew 120 km (78 miles) - consuming 16 of the 64 grams of Hydrogen, giving the aircraft a potential flight range of 500 km (310 miles).[20]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "About us". Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Best Inventions of 2006". Time magazine. 13 November 2006. Archived from the original on May 2, 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Media Center". Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Water-Activated Generator". MIT Technology Review. February 19, 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Brennstoffzellen für Iphone – GameKritik Gadget of the Year 2012" (in German). GameKritik. January 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  6. ^ Dehamna, Anissa (February 28, 2011). "Fuel Cell Envy". matternetwork.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  7. ^ Parsons, Sarah (May 20, 2011). "Testing the Goods: Horizon MiniPak Portable Fuel Cell Charger". popsci.com. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  8. ^ Evans, Robert (January 10, 2011). "The Most Exciting Product of CES 2011: Horizon's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Packs". i4u.com. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  9. ^ "BOC launches hydrogen cylinder to power Hymera fuel cell portable generator". renewableenergyfocus.com. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  10. ^ Coxworth, Ben (January 30, 2013). "Fuel cell-powered H-ROVER puts you in the NASA tech's seat". gizmag.com. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Educational kits". Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  12. ^ "Science can be fun". Youtube. NRF SAASTA. February 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Saint JO 24-hour race – the hydrogen-powered electric car finishes 7th overall". Fuel Cell Works. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  14. ^ Dupeux, Émmanuelle (May 4, 2013). "Saint-Martin-Boulogne: cette année, un défi épice les 24 heures de Saint-Jo" (in French). La Voix du Nord. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Stationary Back-up Power". Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. February 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  16. ^ "AUTOPAK Automotive fuel cell System". Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  17. ^ Davis, Brett (September 27, 2011). "Microcab H2EV hydrogen fuel cell car to debut in UK this week". Car Advice. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  18. ^ "Aerospace". Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  19. ^ ""Pterosoar" PEM Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plane". Oklahoma State University. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  20. ^ McKeegan, Noel (November 3, 2007). "Micro-UAV distance record smashed". Gizmag. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
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