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WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 16, 2006 – DuPont Fuel Cells today announced the introduction of DuPont™ Nafion® XL, a new extended life membrane that combines the advantages of mechanical reinforcement with enhanced chemical stability, enabling improved membrane durability. DuPont will feature the new membrane as part of its portfolio of developments driving the advancement of fuel cell technology, in booth #108-110 at The Fuel Cell Seminar, the largest fuel cell meeting in the world, held Nov. 13-17, 2006, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“By putting our science to work, DuPont Fuel Cells is making consistent advances in the technology needed to make fuel cells a commercial reality in the near and long term,” said Richard Okine, director, DuPont Fuel Cells. “Our latest innovation, the Nafion® XL membrane, is a prime example because it enables a step change in membrane durability that approaches the automotive durability targets, moving us closer to making fuel cell vehicles a reality. DuPont Fuel Cells is also developing new, highly durable electrodes, that, when coupled with use of the new Nafion® XL membrane, should yield up to ten times longer lifetime over current membrane electrode assemblies.”
DuPont™ Nafion® XL offers significantly enhanced membrane durability and mechanical strength. Comparison data shows a greater than 1.5 times increase in tensile strength and over 50 percent reduction in swell over the DuPont™ Nafion® NRE211 membrane. In addition, DuPont™ Nafion® XL demonstrates 30 times lower fluorine emission rates (FER) in open circuit voltage (OCV) and lifetime improvement of greater than 25 percent in the load and relative humidity cycling test. Significant lifetime improvement, coupled with lower FER was observed in the automotive drive cycle test with over 3,500 hours demonstrated in this accelerated lifetime test. These improvements are achieved while maintaining the voltage performance of DuPont™ Nafion® NRE211 membrane.
DuPont Fuel Cells is a technology and market development organization enabling the advancement of fuel cell technology and products with leading players in the industry. By driving the technology to make fuel cells a commercial reality in the near and long term, its mission is to become the leading global supplier of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell membranes and components, to power automobiles, electronics, and residences. For more information, please visit http://www.fuelcells.dupont.com.
DuPont Fuel Cells is one of many DuPont businesses that support the company’s recent announcement to broaden its sustainability commitments and expand its business offerings that address safety, environment, energy and climate challenges in the global marketplace. The company is committed to doubling its investment in R&D programs with direct, quantifiable environmental benefits for its customers and consumers along its value chain, and DuPont Fuel Cells is part of this corporate goal. To read more about DuPont’s 2015 Sustainability Goals, visit www.sustainability.dupont.com.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
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