VIASPACE announced Monday it is developing a laser-based instrument to measure the humidity level in hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cells using a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane are extremely sensitive to the moisture level of the membrane.
The membrane only conducts protons when it is hydrated or moist. Water vapor in the incoming air or hydrogen stream provides the moisture. The VIASPACE instrument will provide real-time measurements of the amount of water vapor in these gas streams, the company said in a statement.
"We believe that the VIASPACE laser instrument will play an important role in hydrogen fuel cells," said Carl Kukkonen, the company's chief executive officer. "The ability to continuously measure high humidity levels in real-time will allow optimal operation of the fuel cell. VIASPACE plans to partner with fuel cell and test equipment manufacturers to bring the humidity instrument to the market."
VIASPACE was founded in 1998 with the objective of commercializing proven space and defense technologies from NASA and the Department of Defense. The company benefits from patent and software licenses from the California Institute of Technology, which manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
