Millennium Cell joins USC fuel-cell research center

Millennium Cell Inc., a leading developer of hydrogen-battery technology, has joined the University of South Carolina's Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells.

The nation's only National Science Foundation-sponsored fuel-cell center, IUCRC was established in 2003 to foster the commercialization of fuel-cell technologies. Like the center's other members, Millennium Cell will partner with USC faculty and students to advance research in hydrogen storage materials, fuel-cell development, boron chemistry and hydrogen-battery systems.

"We are pleased to join the USC Fuel Cell Research Center and add our approaches to those of the well-known companies already partnering with USC researchers in seeking innovative solutions to advance the commercial applications and deployment of hydrogen batteries," Millennium Cell CEO David Ramm said.

"Millennium Cell's decision to join our center is another important step in our efforts to create a future-fuels research hub in Columbia," said Dr. John Van Zee, the director of USC's fuel-cell center and a professor of chemical engineering.

In addition to Millennium Cell, center members include Air Liquide, BASF AG, Boeing, DANA Corporation, ePower Technologies, General Motors Corporation, John Deere, LG Electronics and Westinghouse Savannah River Co. USC's fuel-cell center was established in 2003 with a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Millennium Cell develops hydrogen-battery technology to power portable devices for military, medical, industrial and consumer electronics.