By Melissa Hirsch, Office of Army Prize Competitions and Army Applied SBIR Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army is expanding the optimal use of clean and efficient fuel across its fleet of vehicles with the award of six Small Business Innovation Research contracts totaling $10.25 million for hydrogen storage and generation solutions.

The development of conformable hydrogen storage vessels will enable vehicles to carry a less cumbersome fuel source in greater amounts to charge the fleet. Similarly, hydrogen generators allow electric vehicles to refuel quickly in the field, surpassing the rate of traditional Army vehicle batteries in both speed and range.

“With an electrified Army vehicle fleet on the horizon, the development of clean technologies like conformable hydrogen storage and a hydrogen generator are critical to ensuring it exceeds the current fleet’s performance levels,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program. “With each promising proposal submitted by our selectees, we are that much closer to the Army’s clean technology goals.”

The Army is awarding $10.25 million in support of these efforts, with each of the small businesses receiving a Direct to Phase II SBIR contract between $1.4 million and $1.8 million. The three small businesses awarded contracts for conformable hydrogen storage must design a storage system and demonstrate its performance on a relevant vehicle system, while each hydrogen-generation selectee must design, fabricate and demonstrate a system that is portable and allows for extended vehicle range. The six companies are:

Conformable Hydrogen Storage

• Triton Systems, Inc.; Chelmsford, Mass.
• Noble Gas Systems; Novi, Mich.
• CleanNG, LLC d/b/a Infinite Composites; Tulsa, Okla.

Hydrogen Generator

• Triton Systems, Inc.; Chelmsford, Mass.
• LTAG Systems, LLC; Bow, H.
• TDA Research, Inc.; Wheat Ridge, Colo.

Over an 18-month performance period, each small business will work with Army experts who are testing their proposed systems and developing technologies that retain dual-use potential.

The Army Applied SBIR Program offers Phase I contracts to small businesses and nontraditional vendors with technologies that show technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential. It also provides funding to businesses capable of helping the Army achieve its goals and earn further federal support in Phase II. The Direct to Phase II award is for already-mature solutions ready for demonstration.

Through the Army Applied SBIR Program, companies engage with technical, acquisition and operational subject matter experts. These specialists offer insight into the Army’s technological opportunities while guiding them through the Army research and development ecosystem.

The Army Applied SBIR Program releases contract opportunities on a rolling, ad-hoc basis to respond to the Army’s current and expected warfighting technology needs. For eligibility information and a list of open solicitations, please visit the Army SBIR|STTR website.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology provides the American Soldier with a decisive advantage in any mission by developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining the world’s finest equipment and services. It also leverages technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Army needs. For more information, please visit the Army ASA(ALT) website.