Adaptive Materials Wins $750K Federal Grant For Battlefield Energy
The Ann Arbor-based solid oxide fuel cell maker Adaptive Materials Inc. said Wednesday that it had been awarded a two-year, $750,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant.
The SBIR will fund development of software that will help company commanders effectively employ renewable energy systems on the battlefield.
"The software that Adaptive Materials will deliver to the military will help assess portable power needs and deliver intelligence on the right mix of power sources to meet those needs," said Michelle Crumm, chief business officer of Adaptive Materials. "Being able to use a mix of fuel cells, batteries and other energy sources on the battlefield reduces logistical challenges and increases overall effectiveness."
This recent SBIR award is a Phase II project. In Phase I of the project, Adaptive Materials developed a Java-based software program that analyzed the power requirements of equipment to determine the optimal power source to meet those requirements.
At the end of this Phase II project, Adaptive Materials will deliver software that offers added functionality. Specifically, the software will be able to select a mix of renewable power sources based upon current equipment availability, mission-suitability, environmental factors, as well as user-specified preferences.
The result of Adaptive Materials work will be a significant increase in the availability of reliable and current information on renewable energy systems and their ability to enhance battlefield capabilities. Combat effectiveness will be increased by the incorporation of sensible renewable energy technologies, ultimately reducing logistical challenges.
Adaptive Materials is working on Phase II deliverables with two other Ann Arbor-based companies, SRT Solutions and The Whole Brain Group.
Adaptive Materials is the first company to develop, demonstrate and deliver a portable, affordable, and fuel flexible solid oxide fuel cell system. Adaptive Materials' fuel cell system is provides portable power to the United States Armed Forces as well as industries including recreational vehicles, boating, and medical devices. For more information, visit www.adaptivematerials.com.
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