Contact: Phil Hearn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A California-based company that manufactures wearable fuel cells for consumer and military applications will launch operations in Starkville early next year and work with Mississippi State researchers to refine its product.
Ardica Technologies of San Francisco, recognized for developing innovative micro fuel-cell products, plans to set up another shop in Starkville, according to university research vice president Colin Scanes. The specific site has not yet been determined.
Tom Covington, Ardica's chief executive officer, said the company will grow to 10 employees in 2007 and expand its production staff over time. MSU graduates are expected to compete for jobs.
"Ardica is excited about this opportunity and the potential it represents," said Covington. "We're looking forward to establishing an operation in Starkville and are particularly pleased to be joining the Bulldog family."
Scanes said Ardica will be pursuing two avenues: manufacturing and research.
"We have an agreement that two-thirds of their research will be done in Mississippi," he added.
Ardica produces hydrogen cartridges and fuel cells that can be used for a wide range of applications. The independent company will collaborate with MSU chemical engineers conducting similar research on portable power sources.
"The Ardica fuel cells are safe, high-energy density, disposable, environmentally benign, inexpensive, simple, flexible, and body-friendly portable sources of power," said Scanes.
The company is expected to launch its first products in late 2007 and hopes to achieve a steady production flow by 2015. The first two utilizing the technology will address the fundamental performance gap of today's battery-powered world, while creating innovative product opportunities.
"Partnering with Ardica are two of the top brand names in their respective categories and we all look forward to the joint product announcements in early 2007," said Covington.
The joint Ardica-MSU research effort also will address the design, development and demonstration of a highly novel hybrid fuel cell-battery portable power system for use by the U.S. military, university officials said. Two key technologies involved in the project are proton exchange membrane fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries.
"The university will work with Ardica on a novel Army research program with the aim of revolutionizing the war fighter's operational capabilities through a significant increase in the energy density of current soldier power systems," said Gary Butler, technology director for the MSU research office.
"It is envisioned that the proposed hybrid portable power system technology will significantly reduce the war fighter's operational burden and improve mission effectiveness through extended endurance of soldier-borne electronic systems," he added.
Ardica already is developing commercial products from its San Francisco base and has conducted initial work on a military product to power soldiers and other front-line personnel.
"We are very pleased to welcome Ardica Technologies to the growing list of Starkville businesses utilizing cutting-edge technology, our highly educated work force and the many resources of our strong research university to grow their companies and our community," said David Thornell, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership's president and chief executive officer.
Scanes said Ardica's planned location of a production facility in Starkville ties into MSU's mission of providing research collaboration, incubator space and MSU graduates as potential employees as part of a continuing effort to spur economic development by attracting major companies to Mississippi.
"This is an exciting time for Mississippi State, Starkville and the Golden Triangle region," said Scanes. "We want to be the high-technology location of choice."
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Dr. Scanes at 662-325-3570 or scanes@research.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.