Fuel Cell Patents Sought Avista Files For Protection For New Energy Technology

A subsidiary of Washington Water Power Co. has filed for patent protection on several aspects of its fuel cell technology, the vice president in charge of the project said Wednesday.

Kim Zentz said Avista Laboratories wants a patent examiner to review the design, materials and process that have been developed over the last two years at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute.

The company’s filing covers seven different areas, but the examiner could award fewer or more patents, she said.

Fuel cells produce electricity using hydrogen processed from gasoline or other materials.

Automakers have shown increasing interest in the technology because it is highly efficient and non-polluting. Cost, however, remains a problem.

Zentz said Avista has designed a cell with household uses in mind. Modules could be stacked to produce anywhere from one to 10 kilowatts of power for up to six hours, she said.

The ability to scale a plant to the potential load is one characteristic Avista is trying to patent, Zentz said.

Although the home and auto fuel cell technologies are different, she said acceptance by the automotive industry will eventually help build consumer comfort with all fuel cells.

She said Avista has spent $1.3 million on the cell. About 15 employees are dedicated to the effort, with some outside subcontractors involved as well.

While the patent examiner considers the company’s filing, which could take anywhere from 18 months to three years, Zentz said workers will continue to refine the cells.

She said the biggest hurdle to making the technology commercial is development of new “reformers” for breaking down gasoline into hydrogen.

Avista hopes to form alliances with companies working on such devices, but is not yet ready.

“We want to go about this properly,” Zentz said, adding that some potential partners have already approached Avista.

, DataTimes