DuPont and SFC Smart Fuel Cell announced that their M-25 portable fuel cell is being used in the field for US Army operations. The technology combines DuPont's direct methanol technology with SFC's fuel cell system, products and integration expertise. The fuel cell system used by soldiers is up to 80 per cent lighter than conventional power sources and delivers continuous, quiet energy.

http://www2.dupont.com/Media_Center/en_US/daily_news/june/article20080626.html

Renault has allowed journalists to test its fuel cell Scenic on a track in France. Reports in the Independent said that the Scenic ZEV H2 is powered by a 90kW fuel cell stack with a 25kW lithium ion battery. The car reaches 100mph and a range of around 150 miles.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/how-far-will-renaults-hydrogen-fuel-cell-scenic-go-854142.html

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation received a purchase order from PolyFuel to assist with the design of disposable methanol fuel cartridges. The pair will collaborate in the design of a fuel cartridge for micro fuel cells using PolyFuel's membrane material.

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1726261/

Crown Equipment is working with fuel cell power pack makers to adapt its powered lift trucks so that they can use fuel cells. The firm hopes this will save customers time, money and space. The development is in response to customer demand for power trucks using fuel cell technology.

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/22800954.html

The Beijing Olympic Games will feature 20 hydrogen fuel cell cars that can provide zero-emissions transport. Constructed by Shanghai Volkswagen, five cars have already been delivered to the city. VIPs, officials and the media will be transported in the cars.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-07/07/content_6825104.htm

Meanwhile, Hydrogenics has been awarded a contract to supply 20 fuel cell power packs for integration into Crown lift trucks. The packs will replace acid batteries that are currently being used and they will be installed by the end of the year. Class 1 trucks, which will take the new fuel cell stacks, are used in manufacturing facilities, distribution centres and warehouses. It is hoped that a two-year trial will allow used to make significant gains in productivity using the equipment.

http://www.hydrogenics.com/ir_newsdetail.asp?RELEASEID=320140

World leaders attending the G8 negotiations in Japan were transported by a fleet of environmentally friendly cars, some of which were powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Japan's top seven car makers are contributing to the offering with Toyota's FCHV-adv one of the models on display. The car maker has allowed more than 70 models to be used at the event.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKT32832720080708?sp=true

Meanwhile, Japan Broadcasting Corp used a portable fuel cell power system during live broadcasts from the Hokkaido Toyako Summit. The direct methanol fuel cell system has an output of 100W and it can generate power for about 2.5 hours on a 500ml tank. It can be connected to TV cameras and other equipment and can recharge two lithium ion battery packs.

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080708/154506/

MTI MicroFuel Cells and NeoSolar announced that they will join up to develop the Mobion fuel cell for portable computers. The technology is already being developed for use in mobile phones, cameras and other devices. New developments will see the partnership provide chargers, snap-on attachments and embedded power sources.

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2008/07/07/daily32.html

Meanwhile, July also saw the announcement of the prototype fuel cell car launched by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). The organisation is calling on the government to support the technology and back it for commercial use. The car does not emit smoke or noise pollution.

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=5186

Fuel cell technology could have a role to play in the development of aeroplanes and could be in use soon. That is the view represented by Henri Winand, Chief Executive of Intelligent Energy. Mr Winand said hydrogen fuel cells could be used in a wide variety of operations.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/07/15/225580/farnborough-2008-fuel-cell-offers-clean-alternative-onboard-power.html

A new report has claimed that hydrogen powered vehicles could lead to the end of the need for oil in US transportation. According to the National Research Council, over the course of the next 50 years, hydrogen could become increasingly important in the motor industry if technical difficulties are overcome, vehicles are cost effective, and consumers show an interest.

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/TOP%20STORY/1765801/

IdaTech has announced a three-year agreement with Ballard Power Systems for the supply of fuel cell stacks. The fuel cells will be used in IdaTech's commercial critical backup power supply product, ElectraGen.

http://www.idatech.com/press206542093.asp

Researchers have combined the efforts of two kinds of bacteria to produce hydrogen in a bioreactor. Reports in Microbiology Today revealed that the technology can be used to scavenge precious metals from automotive catalysts to make fuel cells that convert hydrogen into energy.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716204805.htm

SFC Smart Fuel Cell was awarded with Frost & Sullivan's 2008 Market Leadership Award to recognise its success in fuel cell commercialisation. According to Sara Bradford Energy & Power Director at Frost & Sullivan, the firm has been successful in reducing the cost of direct methanol fuel cells.

http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?docid=138712533

In addition, Radoslav Adzic, a senior chemist at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory has received the 2008 DOE Hydrogen Program R&D Award. It recognises his work and contribution with electrocatalysis for fuel cells.

http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=808

The Canadian government has announced its intention to invest in Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Canada to advance the development of the products to a stage ready for commercialisation. Funding of about $1 million was announced this month so put Canada as the leader in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology.

http://news.gc.ca/web/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=411649&categoryid=16&

The US Postal Service is looking for new technologies that are less dependent on traditional fuels to replace its fleet of neighbourhood delivery vehicles. The Postal Service owns 220,000 vehicles, Reuters reports. The calls for new technologies have mentioned hydrogen fuel cells as a possible innovation that could be used.

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2343185020080723?sp=true