Viaspace, Inc. (VSPC)

[tommy 9 fingers]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Here is a tidbit that rod184 on the yahoo board found. I think it is very interesting because I checked Viaspaces and they did not PR this. Hmm I wonder why?

Hayman Speciality products, part of Hayman Limited, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation 12 Aug 2009
Hayman Speciality products, part of Hayman Limited, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation of Pasadena, California, to further provide logistics support to the development of their Methanol-based Fuel Cells around the world.
DMFCC own a portfolio of fuel cell patents licensed from Pasadena-based California Institute of Technology, ( Caltech) which manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where the direct methanol fuel cell was invented.
Under the MOU, Hayman Speciality Products will provide methanol filling and distribution services to Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation (DMFCC), VIASPACE’s alternative energy subsidiary, engaged in manufacturing disposable fuel cartridges for direct methanol fuel cell powered electronics such as notebook computers, mobile phones and military equipment.

http://www.fuelcellmarkets.com//news_and_information/3,1,13694,1,28227.html


This next section is taken from the Viaspace website and I think it is important to read this before you go to the last part of my post.
Intellectual Property
________________________________________
65 Issued & 33 Pending Patents Worldwide
The direct liquid hydrocarbon fuel cell was invented and developed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is operated by Caltech, and the University of Southern California (USC). Hydrocarbon fuels include methanol, ethanol, formic acid, formaldehyde, dimethoxymethane and others. Methanol is the most common fuel. Caltech has 65 issued and 33 pending patents worldwide on the direct liquid hydrocarbon fuel cell technology. Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation (DMFCC) has license rights to all of these patents. Caltech and USC are shareholders in DMFCC.
DMFCC also has patents pending on fuel cartridges, valves and connectors to fuel cells.

Extensive Patent Coverage
The Caltech patent portfolio includes the fundamental idea of a direct hydrocarbon fuel cell that uses a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), construction of the catalysts, anodes, cathodes, and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), as well as alternative membranes. Other patents include water recovery, methanol sensors and filters, monopolar geometry, and electrolysis of methanol to produce hydrogen. Contact the company for a copy of issued patents.

Partnering to Advance Fuel Cell Adoption
DMFCC will work cooperatively with fuel cell manufacturers and OEMs to provide them with the patent protection they need, using DMFCC's "have made", "import", and licensing rights. Instead of a license fee, DMFCC prefers to work with an OEM on a cartridge supply arrangement which would allow DMFCC to provide innovative and safe fuel cartridges specific to each fuel cell-powered device manufactured by the OEM. DMFCC and its partners will manufacture cartridges to an OEM's specifications, certify that the cartridges meet international safety standards, and distribute them on a global basis. If an OEM also desires to perform any of these functions, DMFCC is willing to work in partnership with the OEM. Using the cartridge approach, rather than requiring an upfront fee, DMFCC will share the market risk with the OEM and also will provide a valuable service by supplying cartridges to the marketplace. http://www.viaspace.com/ae_ip.php


Okay this next article indicate who Toshiba worked with to make the device, you need to look at the bottom to find this: The dedicated fuel cartridge was co-developed with Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd., one of Japan's leading packaging container companies. http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-19168-Toshiba's+Dynario+Fuel-Cell,+the+Future+is+NOW+!.html Now notice it says packaging company then got to the section above in this post “Paternering to advance fuel cell adoption” and read that. So we just need to fined out if they are one of VSPC OEMs as it says they will be working with more than one. So has anyone heard of us partnering with them as an OEM.

Also here is a review and video of the Toshiba DMFC charger recently released. You should watch the video it is a longer version of a shorter one that was released earlier
http://gizmodo.com/5390935/the-future-of-charging-gadgets-toshibas-methanol-fuel-cell-is-promising-flawed

Here is another promo for VSPC: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/11/03/4459230.htm