I believe in the first decade of the 21st century, we will see widespread commercialization of efficient and environmentally benign fuel cells. This is an exciting time to be in the industry and I am honored to have been able to make some small contribution toward the development of this most important technology. The Grove Medal, presented in conjunction with the Grove Fuel Cell Symposium, is awarded to acknowledge an individual or company that has made valuable contributions toward the development and success of fuel cell technology. He sees Manitoba Hydro as a key component to the province's future success. He wants the utility to produce hydrogen, which Doer thinks will be a major energy source in the future.
Flexible graphite is a key material in the manufacture of flow field plates for fuel cells.
Flow field plates help direct the movement of hydrogen and oxygen molecules within the fuel cell, disperse waste heat, and capture and transmit the electricity carried by the fuel cell. UCAR has developed proprietary materials that Ballard uses in flow field plates made of flexible graphite sheets. These materials offer high electrical conductivity and are lightweight and cost effective. During the collaboration period, UCAR and Ballard have agreed to cooperate with each other, exclusively, in the research and development of flow field plates using flexible graphite. Further, Ballard has agreed that UCAR will be its exclusive supplier of those materials for use in flow field plates.