Chapter Meeting - 18 September, 2004

In the Middle Ages, 800 AD to 1300 AD, the bold Christian knights of Europe, who couldn't find any more dragons to vanquish, went searching for the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus used at the Last Supper. Today those bold knights, instead of using mighty steed and sword and lance, use the scientific tools of nanotechnology, but the quest they are on is even more valuable. The quest is for the powerful, reliable, affordable proton exchange membrane. Fuel cells cannot happen as long as a stack powerful enough to drive a vehicle costs $30,000. Which company will support the knight errant who will invent this modern equivalent of the Holy Grail?

This month we looked at many of the players and possible technologies.

1. Technology update: Hydrogen Harley: No answer from Proton Motor GmbH yet!
2. American Hydrogen Association - Silicon Valley Chapter- Local initiative: Still no reply from the City of Sunnyvale. Time to go the public meetings and ask the question to get it on the record.
3. Fuel Cell Smart Cars: Will ZAP, the small Northern California company which has sold electric bicycles, for the last ten years be first to market with fuel cell powered cars?
4. Fuel Cell race cars: In Great Britain the new GMS series is starting to put fuel cell racing Go-Carts on the track. Nothing promotes a new technology better than racing excitement.
5. Hydrogen powered pistons: The bridge to fuel cells? Several companies are putting hydrogen into piston engines. Production is starting in 2005!
6. Support: I need help to promote our chapter! Contact jgotthold@comcast.net . Thanks Chuck for forwarding to ProMatch. Thanks Clyde for updating the web site!

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