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On August 6, 1999 Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. completed arrangements to acquire the pending patents, intellectual property and exclusive worldwide commercial development rights to a mid-range fuel cell technology of NovArs Gessellschaft fuer neue Technologien, GmbH, a private company based in Passau, Germany. This addition to the Company’s fuel cell development efforts expands the scope and speed of fuel cell market positioning and dovetails with the MicroFuel Cell research efforts. The NovArs fuel cell research is directed toward high current, low voltage applications—lap-top computers, cordless appliances and power tools, wheelchairs, bicycles, boats, and home energy fuel cell systems — while the MicroFuel Cell addresses low current, high voltage applications.
In mid-June 2000 the company announced completion of initial development and initial testing of the "HYDROCYLE™", a fuel cell powered bicycle. The prototype bicycle utilizes Manhattan Scientifics' unique and proprietary mid-range power technology developed by the company's NovArs unit in Passau, Germany.
The NovArs mid-range technology, which ranges from several watts to several kilowatts, has potential applications for laptop computers and other portable electronics, golf carts, wheel chairs, cordless power tools, electric kitchen appliances, alarm systems and remote power stations.
The power supply unit is based on a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that uses hydrogen and air to produce electric power. It is completely pollution free. The fuel cell's unique design is based on the use of advanced composite materials and sealing technology to minimize size and weight. This makes it potentially ideal as a power source for portable electronic equipment or lightweight, personal transportation applications. The company has applied for patent protection in the United States, Europe and other key markets around the world.
The NovArs fuel cell design is based on the conventional fuel cell stack with these non-conventional, innovative and proprietary design differences that make it simpler, lighter, less expensive and more efficient:
The cylindrical shaped fuel cell stack, which powers the HYDROCYCLE™, weighs only 780 grams, delivers 670 watts of power to a hub motor. The hydrogen fuel is contained in a two-liter carbon fiber reinforced pressure vessel located behind the bicycle seat. This provides the cyclist with a driving range of up to 70-100 km (flat surface) at a top speed of 30 km/h. In production, the fuel tank could be integrated into the frame of the bicycle.
With the minimal ancillary equipment needed by the system, energy densities of 205 watts/kilogram and 115 watts/liter can be reached. In comparison to conventional battery systems, the complete HYDROCYCLE™ fuel cell system has about seven times more energy density than lead acid batteries (30 w/kg) and more than three times the energy density of NiMeH batteries (60 w/kg).