Horizon Fuel Cell Company
of Shanghai [China].
Fuel Cell Institute of Australia Pty Limited had been seeking cheaper educational fuel cell products since year 2003, to satisfy its planned world leading hydrogen and fuel cell science/technologies education programs. During the FCIA's extensive research program it discovered a company it assessed as having significant potential in delivering educational fuel cell products at affordable prices, so educational institutions could obtain such ;The company in question was Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies coy of Shanghai China.
The year was 2004 and the FCIA had finally completed its planned three[3] educational reports on hydrogen and fuel cell science/technologies, and issued them at ministerial level across Australia whilst and placing free copies in most libraries in SW Sydney [Australia]. In ~June 2004 the FCIA instigated Australia's first hydrogen fuel cell science/technologies pilot educational program with Fairvale High School. In year 2005 the FCIA built Australia's first twenty[20] prototype model hydrogen fuel cell powered cars, and placed them in twenty[20] local state high schools in SW Sydney; The prototype/s are below,
In building the prototypes as above, the power supply being a 2 x 1.5VAA battery supply was significantly contributed by the FCIA. The two[2] AA battery format in a simple switch box holder from JayCar electronics with a small resistor fitted, was successfully accomplished by the FCIA at this time. This allowed for a simple battery arrangement which could be purchased just about anywhere, and as well allowed for the correct voltage to be achieved as per manufacturers specifications. The power supply initially given to the FCIA comprised of an expensive rechargeable 2V "D" size lead acid battery from the USA[~US$10-]. SEE NEW SWITCHBOX DESIGN
The year was 2005 and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies released the first affordable model fuel cell car lab kit for US$79-.This was the breakthrough product I certainly was waiting for. The power supply was from a two[2] AA battery switchbox format albeit a tad bulky, but this was quickly streamlined as minute voltage reductions could be achieved via the extra plug in socket and wire lengths.
The FCIA embraced this above new educational model fuel cell car lab kit technology ASAP, and involving it in an application for a grant from the NSW Environmental Trust for the above twenty[20] high schools in year 2006.This became a major success and many more high schools became involved during year 2006, and significant numbers from other states.MEMBER HIGH SCHOOLS CLICK HERE PLEASE The FCIA has just offered a free model fuel cell car lab kit to another ten[10] NSW state high schools from The Bankstown Area SW of Sydney Australia[US$790],and invited local councils to sponsor at least another ten[10] schools each.
The year was 2006 and Horizon Fuel Cell technologies released their biggest yet, The H-racer and its own solar hydrogen refueling station. This was the world's smallest hydrogen fuel cell powered car which was fully functional, and truly represented 21st century automotive technology. The H-racer has already become a legend winning Time Magazine's Invention of the Year 2006.I received an initial batch[10] from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies in ~May 2006.During tested I found small problems involving how tight the screws had to be applied when assembling the body, and that a small drive gear off the motor was slightly uplifted. These minor matters were reported to Horizon soon thereafter by myself. I also noted that the voltage from the solar hydrogen refueling station had changed from the initial batch I received ["Bubbles/Volt"]. The switch was being affected by the voltage and changes were made whilst we joked about "Bubbles/Volt". In ~mid-2006 I displayed the H-racer in a world first class room demonstration at Fairvale High School.
In ~May 2006 I received from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies their first batch of 12watt PEMFCs[3], which were for research and educational purposes. After testing such I sought to implant such a 12watt fuel cell unit into a radio controlled [RC] model car as below. Whilst waiting for a low pressure regulator from Swagelok [US], I supplied a 12watt unit to university students from Western Australia [Curtain University of Technology], so they could operate such in their CHEM-E-CAR competition[They one].Curtain University of Technology thus became the first university in Australia/world to power a model car with a 12watt PEMFC[hydrogen supplied on demand], and I built the World's first model RC 12watt PEMFC powered car for <US$600-.
After discussions with Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies we soon adopted the model RC PEMFC powered car idea for the hobbyist market. The above prototype was used as the basis for the new H-cell power plant which can fit into the battery "bucket bay" of the Tamiya TT 101 RC chassis car [See below]. This again demonstrates how Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies is a world leader min this field.
In April 2007 the H-cell power plant as above is planned to be released.I formed World Fuel Cell Challenge [WFCC] in December 2006.
Works Fuel Cells 2000,UTC Fuel Cells NFCRC: Home PageCalifornia Fuel Cell Partnership , Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Investor FuelCell Energy: Home The Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter, Fuel Cell Today - Opening doors to fuel cells commercialisation , EERE: Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program , Ballard Power Systems - Home , Cell Store.com offers fuel cells and related products , Nuvera Fuel Cells :: Home , Collecting the History of Fuel Cells: A Smithsonian Research ... , EyeforFuelCells - The Business of Fuel Cells , Fuel Cells Canada , Plug Power , 4Hydrogen.com