Education - Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies

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Hobby-Grade Model RC
Introducing Horizon's new "H-CELL 2.0", the world's one and only hydrogen fuel cell hybrid power-train for high performance hobby grade model RC vehicles.

In 2007 Horizon introduced a first prototype fuel cell system which was using basic hydrogen storage capability as well as a power system design that was limiting RC vehicle performance. In 2009, work began on a dramatically improved system with much higher capability, as well as a first home hydrogen refueling station which woul be able to refill the car's solid hydrogen tanks. The model-scale refueling station creates the possibility to draw hydrogen from water and electricity using a device called HYDROFILL, which sends it for storage into small cartridge devices called HYDROSTIK. The HYDROFFILL can connect to optional solar panels or wind-turbines to produce 100% renewable fuel.

The new H-CELL 2.0 is a step-change in Hobby RC design. Two HYDROSTIK each carrying about 12Wh of energy or 10L of hydrogen are integrated to the fuel cell electric power-train on either side of the chassis, enhancing weight distribution on board the car. The result: a fast hobby-grade RC vehicle with 3 to 4 times the endurance of its conventonal battery-based vehicles.

As in real-scale hybrid hydrogen-electric cars being engineered today, a smaller-size lithium battery provides peak power for accelerations and fast speed requests from the brushless motor, while the fuel cell provides cruise power and recharges the battery for extended runtimes.

refillable solid-state hydrogen cartridges

The hydrogen cartridge used in the MINIPAK is called HYDROSTIK. It has a battery-like form factor and contains a special metal alloy that allows hydrogen to be stored in a solid-state, as part of the metal alloy matrix inside the cartridge. In contrast with ordinary compressed hydrogen tanks, the pressure inside the canister is very low, making this device the safest and most practical means of storing hydrogen. The cartridge has been designed according to international standards (ISO 16111) for transportable gas storage devices (Hydrogen absorbed in reversible metal hydride).

The HYDROSTIK is not a one time use, disposable cartridge, and is thus more environmentally friendly. Unlike other fuel cartridges for fuel cells, it has the additional advantages of being refillable (from pressurized gas bottles, or from water-electrolysis based devices), non-toxic, fully recyclable, and competitive on energy storage cost with existing battery devices.

NOTE: 1 HYDROSTIK = 10 disposable AA batteries at 1W continuous power consumption. This is because at 1W power consumption, most AA batteries can last less than one hour, while a HYDROSTIK has enough energy to last 10 hours. Since one HYDROSTIK can be refilled 100 times, the same replaces (10x100) or 1000 disposable AA batteries over its lifetime.

Each HYDROSTIK can store 11Wh of energy, which is enough for 1-2 charges of a 3G smartphone or 2-3 charges for the average cellphone. This is more than what present primary and rechargeable batteries are able to offer at the equivalent cost. HYDROSTIKs can be made available in bulk for refill using industrial gas, providing a low-cost portable energy option for users. When using industrial hydrogen gas, the overall energy efficiency of the MINIPAK is higher than batteries being recharged from the power grid (when counting power plant efficiency, power line losses, and typical AC/DC efficiency of chargers).

home hydrogen refueling unit for HYDROSTIK

The HYDROFILL is the world’s first small-scale home hydrogen refueling station that allows consumers or retailers/distributors to refill solid state cartridges in a simple way, using water and electricity as the only inputs. By adding water, and plugging the HYDROFILL into an electrical wall-socket (or a solar panel), consumers automatically generate hydrogen and store it in a solid form in HYDROSTIK cartridges. Once full, the battery-like "solid-state" HYDROSTIK s can be unplugged from the HYDROFILL and placed into the MINIPAK (or other fuel cell devices) to deliver power via the USB port.

To order your new H-CELL 1/10 model scale hydrogen fuel cell car powertrain, HYDROFILL refueling station, and renewable fuel generation accessories such as solar panels - please contact us here.