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Galvion Receives Further US DoD Orders for Their MAX-8 Mission Adaptive Charging Station and Squad Power Manager (SPM)

Thursday, October 10th, 2024

Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of integrated power and data management solutions and innovative head protection systems, has announced the receipt of further orders from US DoD for their MAX-8 Mission Adaptive Charging Station™ and Squad Power Manager™ (SPM).

Galvion’s Nerv Centr® power management solutions have been selected as a part of a System Modernization Program (SMP) for the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) Dismounted Reconnaissance Sets, Kits, and Outfits (DRSKO) Program of Record. This announcement coincides with the AUSA event taking place in Washington DC, 14-16 October 2024, where Galvion is exhibiting at booth 733.

The customized power management solutions include the widely fielded Squad Power Manager™ (SPM) and Mission Adaptive Charging Station™ (MAX-8). Initial orders for 124 combined SPM and MAX-8 systems have been received to support the National Guard and Army DRSKO requirements following the successful completion of their user evaluation trials in late 2023. Deliveries of these systems will begin in late 2024. Additional orders are expected to support the specific CBRND DRSKO requirements of other United States Department of Defense (US DoD) branches of service (Air Force and Marines) when subsequent fiscal year funding is released, and service specific power management requirements are validated.

The Galvion Nerv Centr® SPM™ kit provides a lightweight and compact multifunctional system to enable the harvesting and management of energy from multiple sources. Using a customized selection of intelligent cables, the system provides the ability to scavenge, distribute, and manage power from multiple power sources (solar, AC, DC, military batteries, NATO plugs, and vehicle) and convert that power into a usable format for powering devices, peripheral equipment, and recharging batteries. Galvion’s Nerv Centr® MAX-8™ is a portable charging solution built to withstand the harsh conditions of expeditionary operations. With the ability to draw power from multiple sources, including AC, solar and vehicle, the MAX-8 battery adapters offer the ability to charge different types of batteries simultaneously, with no setting changes needed. The SPM and the MAX-8 feature intelligent functionality, including prioritization of needs, topping off the fullest battery first, automatic evaluation of power source and adjustment of charge rates to maximize power and minimize charge time.

Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion, said: “We’re very proud to be supplying CBRND warfighters with customized solutions that will improve the power management efficiency of their DRSKO kits. Our systems are deployed across multiple US units and organizations to enhance the overall capability that helps to protect the warfighter and the nation.” He added: “Our priority at Galvion is to deliver operational efficiencies and effectiveness for our users. These power management solutions simplify logistics by reducing battery burden and resupply requirements while ensuring that all mission-critical equipment is powered and ready to go in even the most austere environments.

Faster charging means less burden while out in the field, allowing teams to do more with less, an that is what drives everything that we do here at Galvion.”

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Power, Press Release | Comments Off on Galvion Receives Further US DoD Orders for Their MAX-8 Mission Adaptive Charging Station and Squad Power Manager (SPM)

Thyrm Introduces AA Inserts for Popular CellVault-5M

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

Thyrm has responded to customer requests for a AA battery insert for their customizable CellVault-5M which is both PALS compatible and waterproof.

The new insert joins those available for AAA, CR123/16650, 18350, 18650, and 1632 batteries.

Get yours at thyrm.com/product/cv5m-insert-pak.

Posted in Advertiser, Load Carrying, Power | Comments Off on Thyrm Introduces AA Inserts for Popular CellVault-5M

LiquidPiston Begins Testing 10KW Generator Prototype

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. — September 23, 2024 —LiquidPiston, Inc., a leading innovator of efficient internal combustion engine technology and hybrid power systems, today announced that it has begun testing its 10kW heavy-fueled generator prototype.

The genset is powered by LiquidPiston’s 25hp heavy-fueled XTS-210 rotary engine, which itself entered its integrated engine testing phase in April 2024.

The company has been awarded over $65 million in Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, including an $8.3 million development contractwith the U.S. Army, in 2023, to develop a lightweight and ultra-portable generator for the military. The 10kW generator prototype now being tested is meant to address DoD priorities for a smaller footprint and increased portability.

“This is an exciting time for the LiquidPiston team as we begin testing the fully integrated generator prototype, which we will continue to refine ahead of delivering it to our DoD customers,” said LiquidPiston co-founder and CEO, Alec Shkolnik. “Our goal is to help address the DoD’s demanding operational energy needs with significantly smaller and lighter portable power generation systems.”

The LiquidPiston 10kW genset is designed specifically to meet the DoD’s portable electric genset specs at approximately one-quarter the size and weight of the U.S. Army’s current Advanced Medium Mobile Power Source (AMMPS) 10kW generator system.

The 10kW system incorporates all components required for reliable and efficient power production in the field, including the XTS-210 rotary engine, a high-performance electric motor/generator, custom power electronics, controls, a thermal management system, a fuel tank, muffling, and military-grade packaging. The generator is designed in the long term to be plug-and-play compatible with today’s AMMPS systems, and it will have similar connectivity and interoperability.

Being smaller and lighter than the DoD’s currently-deployed 5kW and 10kW gensets, and approximately the same size as the currently deployed 3kW genset, LiquidPiston’s 10kW genset could greatly simplify DoD generator procurement and logistics by potentially replacing three products with a single product.

While being developed initially with an eye on military specifications, the base generator technology can be applied commercially in applications operating on heavy fuels including diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel, or can be configured to be multi-fuel capable, compatible with gasoline and gaseous fuels like propane.

The 10kW genset leverages the XTS-210 engine’s patented High Efficiency Hybrid Thermodynamic Cycle™ (HEHC) design, offering several key benefits over current generator technology:

• Lightweight –
Up to 75 percent lighter and smaller than the currently-fielded AMMPS.

• Easy to transport –
Can be man-portable, instead of requiring a truck, trailer, or forklift.

• Space efficient –
Occupies only ~9 cubic feet of space.

• Heavy- and multi- fuel capable –
Designed for jet fuel, the engines have also been operated on gasoline, diesel, propane, and hydrogen.

LiquidPiston’s XTS-210 heavy-fueled rotary engine is the result of significant internal research and development, coupled with more than ten contracts secured with the U.S. Department of Defense and over $20 million awarded in development funding, including a $9 million DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory award for a Compact Efficient Rotary Engine announced in November 2022. The XTS-210 is also being integrated into a hybrid eVTOL UAS for a U.S. Army demonstration that will occur later this year.

LiquidPiston has previously raised over $50M in equity crowdfunding, and is currently running a Reg CF equity crowdfunding campaign which is scheduled to close September 27, 2024.

Posted in Power, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Eonix Awarded Air Force Phase II STTR to Unlock Next-Gen Warfare with Scalable Ultra-High-Power Batteries

Monday, September 23rd, 2024

Leveraging the ATLAS platform, Eonix will accelerate battery materials discovery focused on powering Directed Energy, C-sUAS, and e-VTOL systems

Knoxville,TN — [Sept 18th, 2024] — Eonix, a pioneer in next-generation battery technology, has been selected by AFWERX for a PHASE II STTR contract with the University of Tennessee Tickle College of Engineering in the amount of $1.7M focused on ultra-high-power batteries for directed energy, counter drone swarms, and e-VTOL systems. The funds will be used to design high conductivity electrolytes that are drop-in compatible with batteries manufactured today and meet the ambitious DoD energy storage targets for next gen platforms.

“New technologies like Directed Energy, Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft (C-sUAS), and electric Vertical Take Off Landing (e-VTOL) Systems promise to transform modern air defense systems by offering cost-effective engagement, enhanced base resiliency, and advanced surveillance and attack capabilities,” said Eonix Founder Don Derosa. “Our ATLAS materials discovery platform will design a next generation battery chemistry that improves power density, discharge rate, and operational temperature…thus powering the Air Force to respond to a rapid evolution of aerial threats.”

Eonix is revolutionizing battery product development, leveraging their ATLAS platform which is 40x faster and 15x lower cost than traditional R&D methods. This groundbreaking platform, previously harnessed for projects backed by Army/DOE/NSF/Air Force, pairs real-time measurement of material behavior in batteries with quantum mechanics simulations to train AI models, significantly accelerating materials discovery. These models predict material performance and suggest novel material candidates, marking a significant leap forward in the quest for next-gen energy storage solutions.

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on Eonix will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

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Gathering of Minds – Helmet Mounted Battery Cell

Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

Gathering of Minds is a small business which makes cool 3D printed and textile products you didn’t think you needed until you see them.

Take for instance the Helmet Mounted Battery Cell which mounts to the rear of a helmet to serve as both counterweight and battery storage.

The lid features an O-ring for waterproofness and the container secures to the helmet with Velcro with a stainless steel braided cable back up. Additionally, it will accommodate a single Chemlight at the rear for marking.

The HMBC is currently offered in four models, each designed to carry a different load of batteries.

4 x AA

4 x CR-123A

AA/AAA/ 2 x CR-123A

2 x AA/ 6 x AAA

gomdesigns.com/products/gom-hmbc

Posted in Helmets, Power | 6 Comments »

NovaSpark Energy Corporation Wins Contract with United States Defense Innovation Unit for Groundbreaking Hydrogen Fuel Project

Sunday, September 1st, 2024

Houston, TX — NovaSpark Energy Corporation, an innovator of on-site hydrogen fuel and sustainable energy generation, is proud to announce it has been awarded a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a mobile hydrogen fuel generation solution. The partnership will focus on leveraging NovaSpark Energy’s “Air-to-Power” technology for next-generation defense applications and mobility.

In collaboration with the DIU, the project focuses on demonstrating advanced technology to further long-range deployment efforts across the globe,” said Andrew Mawdsley, DIU Program Manager for HyTEC, “This award is part of the mission of the DIU to enable access to commercially-derived disruptive capabilities across the entirety of the DoD enterprise.”

DOD mission partners for this project include the Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC).

“We are not just innovating for today but shaping the future of energy technologies to support defense and commercial sector needs,” said Rick Harlow, Vice Chairman and co-founder of NovaSpark Energy. “Our involvement in this DoD project marks a significant step towards revolutionizing hydrogen fuel implementation across the nation and globally. We are proud to be working closely with the DIU on this project.”

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Air Force Awards $1.9M to Local Aerospace and Defense Group to Advance New Ballistic Conformal Battery Pack

Saturday, August 24th, 2024

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. (CRG) has been awarded a $1.9 million Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract from AFWERX, aimed at advancing the development, testing, and certification of its groundbreaking Ballistic Conformal Battery (BCB).

Engineered as a centralized, wearable power source, the BCB is designed to integrate seamlessly into body armor vests, delivering reliable energy to an array of critical devices, including modern radio systems, mobile devices, visual augmentation systems, sensors, and communication equipment.

Certification of the BCB is a critical milestone, ensuring the battery meets stringent safety, performance, and reliability standards necessary for military use. The process also validates the battery’s ability to operate effectively in demanding environments, providing assurance to military personnel who rely on this technology in the field.

“This TACFI funding will help us start fielding a product that will enhance soldier safety and operational capability,” said Brian Henslee, vice president of power systems at CRG. “We’re excited to get the BCB into the hands—and tactical vests—of those who need it most.”

By integrating advanced battery technology into body armor, the BCB reduces equipment size and weight while enhancing safety. Demonstrations of various BCB models have shown their ability to provide between 100 and 300 watt-hours (Wh) of power, along with customizable threat protection levels.

At the core of the BCB are CRG’s state-of-the-art battery cells, meticulously designed and manufactured at the company’s Miamisburg, Ohio headquarters. These cells are lightweight, deliver longer run times, and perform reliably even in extreme low temperatures. CRG’s commitment to a domestic supply chain not only strengthens the U.S. energy storage sector but also aligns with the priorities outlined in the Defense Production Act and National Defense Industrial Strategy.

www.crgrp.com

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ProTecBird Enables Successful Protection of the Red Kite Around Wind Turbines

Thursday, August 22nd, 2024

Rheinmetall supplies expertise in the field of air defence for the detection of protected bird species

With AI and sensor technology from ProTecBird and software from the military sector, Rheinmetall and ProTecBird want to ensure the protection of red kites around wind turbines and at the same time contribute to the energy transition. Both companies have now announced the successful demonstration of the effectiveness of the AVES Wind anti-collision system for the protection of red kites around wind turbines, which was developed by ProTecBird by integrating Rheinmetall technology. With this milestone, the young technology start-up from Husum, which is specialised in the development and manufacturing of economical and species-specific anti-collision systems, has now overcome a significant hurdle for the energy revolution in Germany in partnership with Rheinmetall.

The development of effective anti-collision systems (ACS) has been one of the biggest challenges in the operation of wind farms in areas with wind-sensitive bird species. The balance between technical feasibility and reliable species protection is of central importance for the planning processes in the construction of wind farms. With its AI-based AVES Wind anti-collision system, ProTecBird has succeeded in solving this problem by defining and demonstrating the requirements for an anti-collision system in terms of nature conservation, economics and technology for the first time. By doing so, the system offers an alternative to generalised shutdown regulations by providing a customised solution for wind farm-operators through species- and situation-dependent short shutdowns.

As one of the federal states with the most wind power, Schleswig-Holstein is a pioneer in the establishment of forward-looking standards for anti-collision systems and their integration into approval procedures. On behalf of the Ministry of Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein (MEKUN, Ger. for Ministerium für Energiewende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur), a committee was convened in September 2022 to develop a testing framework under the direction of the State Office for the Environment SH (LfU, Ger. for Landesamtes für Umwelt). This committee, consisting of a team of consultants (TÜV NORD, the Office for Biostatistics), ACS and wind energy manufacturers as well as stakeholders from nature conservation organisations and wind energy associations, developed a comprehensive testing framework for the validation of ACS by the end of 2023. On 8 August 2024, Tobias Goldschmidt, Minister of Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein, announced the first nationwide testing framework for anti-collision systems. The testing framework is currently being evaluated by other Federal States in Germany in order to incorporate it into their own area of responsibility.

The AVES Wind system from ProTecBird was tested at an existing wind farm between July and September 2023 in accordance with the requirements of the technical convention proposal “Test framework for anti-collision systems” (MEKUN 2024). A total of 237 red kite flight sequences were analysed at various sites on a total of 25 recording days: AVES Wind detects, recognises and protects the red kite in accordance with the specifications of the technical convention proposal (MEKUN 2024), meaning that the species protection requirements and the protective effect for the red kite are fully met by the ProTecBird anti-collision system.

“We are delighted to have our AVES Wind anti-collision system recognised, and are proud to be making a contribution to the energy revolution,” comments Thorsten Heinzen, CEO of ProTecBird. “The cooperation with the relevant players in Schleswig-Holstein was crucial for this breakthrough. The fact that ProTecBird was the first company to undergo and pass the officially defined testing framework highlights the company’s innovative strength and commitment. With its AVES Wind anti-collision system, ProTecBird has achieved a technological breakthrough that can be seen as disruptive for the wind energy industry,” continues Thorsten Heinzen. “We have created a clever networked system that utilises the existing wind farm infrastructure and further improves the effectiveness and sustainability of the generated wind energy”.

The solution of the AI-based AVES Wind anti-collision system is based on software developed by Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH, which was originally programmed for air defence in the military sector and is in use worldwide.

Rheinmetall uses an established software (Multi Mode Tracker) that can recognise and assign missiles via pixel changes on the horizon. Thanks to the further development of the software by ProTecBird and the use of the newly developed AI, different bird species, such as the protected red kite, can now be reliably recognised and tracked by the systems’ sensors. As a result, automated shutdown commands are sent to wind turbines, effectively preventing collisions between the animals and the rotor blades from a predefined distance between the bird and the wind turbine.

“The possible applications go far beyond the original military field,” explains Uwe Lindenau, Sales Manager Mission Systems at Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH.

“The cooperation between Rheinmetall and ProTecBird is unique worldwide. With our software and the technical expertise of ProTecBird, not only can unique protected birds such as the red kite or the white-tailed sea eagle be protected. Concerning the aviation sector, it also offers great benefits for flight safety regarding bird strikes on aircraft engines and the airframe,” Lindenau continues.

For Rheinmetall, demonstrating the effectiveness of the system in wind turbines is a successful example of the Group’s involvement in environmental protection.

As a technology start-up, ProTecBird is determined to push ahead with its research and development. The company is currently working on expanding its technology to other animal species, such as real-time detection of bats, to ensure more comprehensive protection of wildlife.

In addition, ProTecBird aims to expand its partnerships to promote the use of renewable energy not only in Germany but also worldwide.

Posted in International, Power, Press Release | Comments Off on ProTecBird Enables Successful Protection of the Red Kite Around Wind Turbines