MINNEAPOLIS, Apr 22, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Fuel Cell Contamination Control(TM) (FC3) division of filtration leader Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI) today announced a formal research partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory to study the effect of ambient contaminants on the performance, life and durability of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.
Sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Donaldson is using the research findings of the two-year program in its ongoing development of fuel cell filtration solutions. Donaldson's filtration expertise will be used in the development of air filtration and acoustics mitigation systems that prolong fuel-cell engine life. Filtration is a critical component in accelerating commercialization of a wide range of fuel cell-powered products, including automobiles, cell phones, laptop computers and power generation products.
"Donaldson leads the fuel cell industry in recognizing the need for intake-air filtration on the cathode of a fuel cell to ensure system reliability and performance," said Francisco Uribe, Fuel Cell Research Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory. "With this formal research agreement, we are applying Donaldson's leading-edge fuel cell filtration knowledge and products to our fuel cell experiments."
Donaldson Awarded World's First Fuel Cell Patent
Fuel cell development to date has taken place in the controlled environment of the laboratory, where the air is relatively free of real-world contaminants. Donaldson Company air quality studies conducted on every continent show that ambient air carries enough pollution to adversely affect hydrogen fuel cell reliability. Sub-micrometer-sized particles, salts, oils, chemicals and volatile organic compounds -- which can shorten fuel cell life -- are all found in varying degrees in the atmosphere.
"We recently received the worlds first patent for fuel cell filters, said Richard Canepa, director of Donaldson's FC3 division. "This testing and research at Los Alamos National Laboratories assures our fuel customers that they remain on the leading edge of fuel cell filtration solutions."
Donaldson has established FC3 offices in North America, Japan, and Europe and is working with more than 30 fuel cell manufacturers and fuel cell-powered product developers to make the technology a commercially viable power source for a wide range of transportation, residential and portable applications.
For more information about fuel cell engines, visit the Los Alamos fuel cell information page at: http://www.lanl.gov/worldview/science/features/fuelcell.html
About Donaldson Company, Inc.
Donaldson Company, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. Founded in 1915, Donaldson is a technology-driven company committed to satisfying customer needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development. Donaldson serves customers in the industrial and engine markets including dust collection, power generation, specialty filtration, compressed air purification, off-road equipment, industrial compressors, and trucks. More than 8,500 employees contribute to the company's success at 40 manufacturing locations around the world. In fiscal year 2002, Donaldson reported sales of more than $1.1 billion and achieved its thirteenth consecutive year of double-digit earnings growth. Donaldson is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Donaldson shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DCI. Additional company information is available at www.donaldson.com.
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