Army looks to fuel cells for tanks

subscribe

The U.S. Army is looking into fuel cell technology to boost electrical power in its M1 Abrams battle tanks, the service said.

In an article on its Web site, the Army said more electrical power on board would allow more computing, battle command technologies, sensors and other equipment.

"Currently it fuel cell technology is only being tested in a lab but it is being designed for the Abrams," said Steven Eick, a chemical engineer at the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.

"Our goal is to generate more on board power to help support radios and other equipment."

Eick said Army engineers are also experimenting with fuel cell technology for non-combat vehicles.

The technology would be for an auxiliary power unit that converts JP8 diesel fuel into hydrogen and then generates electricity through a fuel cell.

Eick said use of fuel cells involves a chemical in which electrical current is generated by the breakdown of a hydrogen atom.

Related News

nuclear plant

Explainer: Why nuclear-powered France faces power outage risks

PARIS - France is bracing for possible power outages in the coming days as falling temperatures push up demand while state-controlled nuclear group EDF struggles to bring more production on line.


WHY CAN'T FRANCE MEET DEMAND?
France is one of the most nuclear-powered countries in the world, typically producing over 70% of its electricity with its fleet of 56 reactors and providing about 15% of Europe's total power through exports.

However, EDF (EDF.PA) has had to take a record number of its ageing reactors offline for maintenance this year just as Europe is struggling to cope with cuts in Russian natural…

READ MORE
electric tractor

Are we ready for electric tractors?

READ MORE

canada-ambitious-electric-vehicle-goals

Canada's Ambitious Electric Vehicle Goals

READ MORE

tucson line workers

Cost, safety drive line-burying decisions at Tucson Electric Power

READ MORE

alberta electricity meter

Alberta ratepayers on the hook for unpaid gas and electricity bills from utility deferral program

READ MORE