SMP Announces Two NIST ATP Awards for Advanced MEA Manufacturing as Part of Strategic Approach to Fuel Cell Market

SMP has been granted two NIST ATP awards for the development of high volume manufacturing of next generation membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and reformed fuel polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

June 13, 2002 -- Albuquerque, NM -- Superior MicroPowders, LLC (SMP, www.smp1.com), is pleased to announce it has been granted two NIST ATP (National Institute of Standards and Technology Advanced Technology Program) awards for the development of high volume manufacturing of next generation membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and reformed fuel polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Under these programs, totaling more than $6M, SMP will develop materials and fabrication technology designed to solve critical MEA manufacturing and cost problems.

The SMP NIST ATP award entitled Development of High Volume Digital Manufacturing of Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Fuel Cells" is a $3.2M, 3 year program with major program objectives to develop materials and digital deposition technology which will reduce precious metal content and enable flexible manufacturing techniques for high volume manufacturing of DMFC MEAs. SMPs partners in this program are Motorola Labs, Spectra Inc. and CFD Research Corporation.

The SMP NIST ATP award entitled Elevated-Temperature, Reformate-Tolerant Membrane Electrode Assemblies for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells" is a 3-year, $3.1M program focusing on the development of novel high temperature membranes and advanced MEA manufacturing methods to produce MEAs that can tolerate high levels of reformed fuel feed impurities. SMPs partners in this program are Motorola Labs, Reliant Energy Power Systems, Case Western Reserve University and Polymer Chemistry Innovations.

These awards are key milestones in SMPs business plan to be a leading materials supplier to the fuel cell industry. They complement SMPs recently awarded $5.1M, 4 year DOE contract to discover next generation cathode electrocatalyst and layer structures for automotive PEMFC applications. This work also builds upon SMPs digital deposition technology, developed under a multi-million dollar DARPA MICE program to provide direct-write materials for energy and electronic applications.

SMP has recently completed a $4.2M, 3 year (1998 -- 2001) NIST ATP program for the development of its revolutionary spray-based approach for electrocatalyst manufacturing that has been the foundation for SMPs current advanced electrocatalyst products. Under this NIST ATP award, SMP has demonstrated its ability to transform new ideas and concepts to commercial products and SMP is committed to bring the novel concepts in the current NIST ATP programs for next generation high volume MEA manufacturing to commercial success.

These NIST ATP awards strongly support the continued development of SMPs technology for the fuel cell industry, bringing to bear its strengths in advanced materials development and fabrication methodologies. These awards also provide evidence of SMPs continued success in developing strategic upstream and downstream partnerships in the rapidly expanding fuel cell industry. Further details regarding these latest NIST ATP awards will be provided in upcoming SMP public announcements.

About Superior MicroPowders
Superior MicroPowders is an advanced materials technology provider based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. SMP develops and manufactures high performance materials systems for a wide range of challenging applications including:

·   Fuel cells -- PEM and DMFC electrocatalysts and electrode systems
·   Displays -- Advanced phosphors and complimentary materials for flat panel display and lighting technologies
·   Electronics -- Low fire conductors, dielectrics, resistors and digital deposition systems

Building upon an array of unique material production platforms, SMPs competencies in ink formulation and deposition provide customers with the support necessary to transition to significantly improved material sets.

Contact(s):
Dr. Mark Hampden-Smith (mhs@smp1.com)
Vice President
Superior MicroPowders, LLC
Phone: (505) 342-1492, Fax: (505) 342-2168, www.smp1.com

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