PRESS RELEASE: San Jose, CA, October 5, 2010 — Quallion LLC, California-based world leader in the development of customized lithium ion batteries, jointly cooperates with Centro Ricerche Fiat S.C.p.A (Fiat Research Centre) for the development of a hybrid vehicle prototype, based on a Panda platform and featuring an Andromeda™ fuel cell stack from Nuvera Fuel Cells, to enhance performance and safety. The Panda prototype will be on display at the Battery Show, in San Jose, CA, October 5-7.

The prototype in particular, is actively participating in two specific projects: HyTRAN and HySYS, each of which are created through a collaboration with other industrial partners resulting in high-level research that has led to the creation of a vehicle equipped with fuel cell technology (Panda Fuel Cell powered by hydrogen) to participate at Challenge Bibendum 2010, a recent event on sustainable mobility held by Michelin in Rio de Janeiro (May 31 to June 3, 2010).

The Panda Fuel Cell vehicle acts as a test bench for the development of future vehicles. Specifically for the design, analysis and evaluation of innovative components and architectures required, such as:

  • An innovative line cathode (air compressor) specially designed and produced by Centro Ricerche Fiat
  • The Lithium lon battery pack, developed and manufactured by Quallion, important for safety energy storage in the vehicle (Matrix™ and HAM™ technologies)
  • PEM Fuel Cell Stack, developed and manufactured by Nuvera Fuel Cells, a fundamental component of the fuel cell system

The Panda Fuel Cell prototype is developed under two EU (European Community) projects:

HyTRAN: the core group is made by OEMs together with two important companies that have years of participation in the study and manufacture of fuel cell systems. The core of the group is the consortium of industrial companies and research institutes with knowledge and experience in the main aspects necessary to achieve project objectives: air system; water and thermal management system; modeling and control; testing; new processes and materials (both for reforming and catalyst); sensors and actuators.

HySYS: the objective of the project is the research on low-cost components for fuel cell systems and electric drive systems to be utilized in future hybrid fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) — a medium  term objective — and ICE vehicles.

Read more about the Panda fuel cell vehicle prototype

 

About Nuvera Fuel Cells
Nuvera Fuel Cells is an alternative-power technology company focused on fuel cell stacks and related systems, on-site hydrogen production and dispensing systems for both commercial end-users and OEMs. Located in the U.S. and Europe, Nuvera manufactures hydrogen supply and fuel cell power products designed for efficiency, safety, and productivity. Visit www.nuvera.com.

About Quallion LLC
Quallion LLC was founded in 1998 by biotechnology and aerospace entrepreneur Alfred E. Marin and lithium ion battery specialist Dr. Hishashi Tsukamoto. The company designs, fabricates and manufactures state-of-the-art lithium ion cells and battery packs, and develops new battery chemistries for the military, aerospace, medical and automotive industries. Building on its legacy leadership position in the medical device industry, the company has developed a range of novel enabling technologies that include the world’s smallest implantable secondary battery and the proprietary Zero-Volt and SaFE-LYTE technologies. Leveraging  its core engineering capabilities, Quallion has established itself as a leader in applications where advanced battery technology, safety, and custom engineering are most valued. Visit www.quallion.com for more information.

About Centro Ricerche Fiat
Centro Ricerche Fiat S.C.p.A (CRF) was founded in 1976 as the Fiat Group’s major source of expertise in innovation, research and development. CRF’s objective is to use innovation as a strategic lever and to enhance the results of its work through the promotion, development and transfer of innovative content able to make products distinctive and competitive. It is able to play an active role in the technological growth of the Fiat Group, its partners and the community in areas such as powertrain (in collaboration with FPT Powertrain Technoloies); vehicles and components; safe and environmentally-friendly mobility; telematics; new materials and relative technologies; mechatronics; optics; and energy. CRF is particularly active in the field of research into sustainable mobility, adopting a systematic approach to investigate innovative solutions which address all aspects of sustainability in transport. These include: reducing emissions and noise pollution through innovations on the powertrain, increasing fuel efficiency by reducing vehicle weight, improving aerodynamics, optimizing sub-systems, developing eco-compatible production processes, identifying ecological and recyclable materials, and using communications and info-mobility to help reduce traffic congestion. The aim: safer, greener and more comfortable vehicles. Visit www.crf.it for more information.