UTC Fuel Cells Bring Experience Gained in Outer Space Down to Earth (press release)

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As NASA prepares for the historic Space Shuttle Discovery flight, UTC Fuel Cells (UTCFC) is proud to continue its historic role of providing fuel cells that supply all the electrical power for the mission. For four decades, all the U.S. manned space missions have used fuel cell power plants designed, developed and built exclusively by UTC Fuel Cells, a unit of United Technologies Corporation's (NYSE: UTX - News) UTC Power division.

"The more than 225 astronauts who have flown on U.S. Apollo and Space Shuttle missions have been the earliest adopters and beneficiaries of fuel cell technology," said UTC Power President Jan van Dokkum. "UTCFC is taking its experience in designing and operating fuel cells in the most challenging environment conceivable -- outer space -- and bringing it down to earth so the public can enjoy the environmental, efficiency and energy security benefits of fuel cells in stationary and transportation applications."

UTC Fuel Cells has provided three 12 kW alkaline fuel cells for the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The technology has accumulated more than 90,000 hours of operation during 113 missions. Cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen feed each of the self-contained fuel cells, which measure four cubic feet and weigh 260 pounds each. The units produce reliable electricity without the need for backup batteries, with a by-product of water for the crew to drink and for cooling the spacecraft.

In addition to providing fuel cells for the U.S. space program, UTCFC has sold more than 275 PureCell(TM) 200 kW stationary units to customers in 19 countries on five continents. UTC Fuel Cells is currently working with major automobile manufacturers, including Nissan, Hyundai and BMW, and the U.S. Department of Energy on developing and demonstrating programs for automobiles, and is delivering power plants for four zero-emission Van Hool fuel cell buses that will be operated by AC Transit and SunLine Transit in California.

United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News), based in Hartford, Conn., provides high-technology products and services to the commercial building and the aerospace industries. Its UTC Power division, based in South Windsor, Conn. includes UTC Fuel Cells and is a full-service provider of environmentally advanced power solutions. With more than 40 years of experience, UTC Power packages on-site power systems for commercial and industrial markets and is the leading developer and producer of fuel cells for transportation and space applications.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and technology pioneer with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored more than 1,500 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2007, Adams launched EcoLEDs, a maker of super bright LED light bulbs that are 1000% more energy efficient than incandescent lights. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NaturalNews subscriptions. Adams is currently the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and practices nature photography, Capoeira, Pilates and organic gardening.


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