FUEL CELL TECH and a Million Dollar NEED: TOO SLOW to be economicaly vable YET WE OWN IT ..scaracity is a defination of ECONOMICS and my College ECONOMIC TEXTBOOK was titled "Scarcity Challenged": http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1032405/000116552702500058/g0049.txt ..//.."" INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYIn early July 2001, the Company hired a scientific consultant to evaluate all ofthe patents and patent applications of the Company for relevance to potentialcommercial applications. The consultant first stated that all patents andprovisional patents involving Field Enhanced Diffusion by Optical Activation(FEDOA) which covered diamond based fuel cells, diamond doping and the removalof impurities, listed inventors that are or were faculty members of theUniversity of Missouri at Columbia. The University Administration asserts thatall inventions created at the University by its faculty members are itsintellectual property and not Rhombic's. The following opinions on Rhombic'sprovisional patents invented by faculty members at the University of Missouriare summarized as follows:1. Provisional patents for the System and Method for Diamond Based FuelCells give substantial evidence that the described process using FEDOAis too slow to be economically feasible.2. Provisional patent applications covering the doping of natural andchemically vacuum deposited (CVD) diamond using FEDOA is too slow of aprocess to be economically feasible. Additional research intoelectrical applications of these provisional patents could be usedwith other doping processes to explore potential commercialapplications.3. Provisional patent applications for a System and Method for Removal ofImputities from materials such as semiconductors using FEDOA wouldrequire significantly more research to determine commercial value.Although the process appears to offer an increase yield of chipsobtainable from wafers, the commercial viability is questionablebecause the FEDOA is very slow for commercial applications.4. Provisional patent applications for Carbon Crystal Growth UsingElectric Emission Enhanced Showerhead Hot Filament Chemical VaporDeposition offers an improved process for the CVD process, but theapplications and inventors do not have enough data to determinecommercial viability.The conclusion of the consultant and the company was not to continue the patentprocess of the above listed provisional patent applications because of (1) thelimited economic viability due primarily to the process speed of FEDOA; (2) thehigh costs of patent counsel and the direct costs to obtain domestic and foreignpatents; and (3) the potential exposure to royalty payments to the University ofMissouri with corresponding costs of defending ownership of the patents.3<PAGE>The consultant also evaluated Rhombic's intellectual property that wasunaffected by potential claims from the University of Missouri. His opinions areas follows:1. Provisional patent for the Method and System for ManufacturingDisperse Composite Materials is of great economic value if the processis fully developed for the numerous applications that are beingproposed now by industry or that will emerge shortly.2. Provisional patent for a Method of Contact Diffusion into Diamond andOther Crystalline Structures and Products using its thermal diffusionmethod is commercially viable.The consultant recommended proceeding with a development plan for commercialapplications involving the Manufacturing of Disperse Composite Materials. Healso recommended to proceed with Contact Diffusion into Diamond if reasonablearrangements could be made to secure a license to receive the processed diamondmaterial necessary to complete the process.Upon the recommendations of the consultant, the company met with its patentattorneys and determined that the application deadlines to extend the patentspending on the Manufacturing of Disperse Composite Materials had expired. As aresult, the President, Roger Duffield, met with the inventors of the patents anddetermined a commitment of $ 500,000 to $1,000,000 in capital would be needed tobegin a development program for any commercial applications that would providespecific patent coverage for any process developed. Due to existing financingproblems that the Company was facing, Rhombic's President recommended a mergerwith a private research and development company that had capital and scientists.Unfortunately, Rhombic never received enough information from the company toevaluate a merger and Rhombic's President subsequently resigned.Rhombic impaired the value of FEDOA and its corresponding intellectualproperties as a result of the consultants report and its inability to raisemoney during 2001 for the development of any of its applications.Rhombic believes that its Ultra Violet (Excimer) Lamp may have commercialapplication based upon numerous inquiries it has received from potential buyers.This lamp uses a highly efficient photon emission reaction (7-50%) from excimersto produce wavelengths of vacuum ultra violet (VUV) to visible light. An excimeris an excited state in a molecule that dissociates into an unbound state. Thisfeature means that self-absorption in the lamp is small, and because of this,the lamp can be scaled to large volumes without severe degradation of theemission wavelength. The pioneering excimer lamp technology developed byColumbia Research Instruments is now owned by Rhombic. It efficiently transfersthe energy of electricity to microwaves and microwaves to excimers (transferefficiency between 50 and 90%). This technology produces light of a purewavelength more efficiently than any other light source. This is significantbecause light is used to induce chemical reactions that are wavelength specific.The excimer lamp is orders of magnitude more cost effective (dollar/photonbandwidth) than anything that current technology is capable of producing.4<PAGE>POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONSThe development of these low-cost, high power and large-area VUV to visiblesources promises enormous potential for materials' processing and severalapplications of such sources have already been demonstrated. These sources havebeen used in the production of silicon dioxide; silicon nitride, siliconoxynitride, tantalum pentoxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, PZT and polymers.Multi-layered films can also be produced at low temperature (below 400oC) byphoto-induced processing (photo-CVD and sol-gel processing). Excimer photonsources provide selective intense VUV to visible radiation at specificwavelengths as opposed to other types of light sources. This narrow-bandradiation can initiate chemical reactions, break molecular bonds or modifysurface properties. Like other UV sources, Excimer lamps can be used to inducephoto-polymerization of special paints, varnishes, and adhesives, (a processcalled UV-curing) but do so at a much lower cost per photon than any competitor.The following is an overview of current and potential application areas:(1)Materials deposition/coating of metals: for the production of dielectrics (highand low dielectric constant materials), and semiconducting layers. (2) UVcuring: hardening of paints, lacquers, adhesives, e.g. for printing, textilefinishing, lamination, automotive engineering and equipment engineering. (3)Surface treatment: surface etching including three-dimensional applications. (4)Photochemistry:for-photo-chlorination,photosulpho-oxidation,photonitrosylization, and photo-oxidation. (5) Photomedicine: for treatment ofskin conditions, and tanning. (6) Environmental technology: for ozonegeneration, elimination of pollutants in water and air (chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs), dioxins, etc.) (7) Fluorescent lamps: for flat plasma display panelswithout the use of hazardous mercury. (8) Decontamination: for the destructionof harmful bio-organisms in soil, water or air, for the decontamination ofbiological agents in the aftermath of biological weapon attack, for thedestruction of hazardous chemicals in soil, water, or air, and for thedecontamination of chemical agents in the aftermath of a chemical weapon attack.(9) Photosynthesis: for the initiation of photosynthesis at wavelengths suitedfor chlorophyll absorption. modification of polymers, dry etching of polymers,synthesis of hydrophilic polymers, increasing adhesion between metal andpolymer, and surface cleaning. ..//.. and lower:
"" ..//.. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTYIn early July 2001, the Company hired a scientific consultant to evaluate all ofthe patents and patent applications of the Company for relevance to potentialcommercial applications. The consultant first stated that all patents andprovisional patents involving Field Enhanced Diffusion by Optical Activation(FEDOA) which covered diamond based fuel cells, diamond doping and the removalof impurities, listed inventors that are or were faculty members of theUniversity of Missouri at Columbia. The University Administration asserts thatall inventions created at the University by its faculty members are itsintellectual property and not Rhombic's. The following opinions on Rhombic'sprovisional patents invented by faculty members at the University of Missouriare summarized as follows:1. Provisional patents for the System and Method for Diamond Based FuelCells give substantial evidence that the described process using FEDOAis too slow to be economically feasible.2. Provisional patent applications covering the doping of natural andchemically vacuum deposited (CVD) diamond using FEDOA is too slow of aprocess to be economically feasible. Additional research intoelectrical applications of these provisional patents could be usedwith other doping processes to explore potential commercialapplications.3. Provisional patent applications for a System and Method for Removal ofImputities from materials such as semiconductors using FEDOA wouldrequire significantly more research to determine commercial value.Although the process appears to offer an increase yield of chipsobtainable from wafers, the commercial viability is questionablebecause the FEDOA is very slow for commercial applications.4. Provisional patent applications for Carbon Crystal Growth UsingElectric Emission Enhanced Showerhead Hot Filament Chemical VaporDeposition offers an improved process for the CVD process, but theapplications and inventors do not have enough data to determinecommercial viability.The conclusion of the consultant and the company was not to continue the patentprocess of the above listed provisional patent applications because of (1) thelimited economic viability due primarily to the process speed of FEDOA; (2) thehigh costs of patent counsel and the direct costs to obtain domestic and foreignpatents; and (3) the potential exposure to royalty payments to the University ofMissouri with corresponding costs of defending ownership of the patents.3<PAGE>The consultant also evaluated Rhombic's intellectual property that wasunaffected by potential claims from the University of Missouri. His opinions areas follows:1. Provisional patent for the Method and System for ManufacturingDisperse Composite Materials is of great economic value if the processis fully developed for the numerous applications that are beingproposed now by industry or that will emerge shortly.2. Provisional patent for a Method of Contact Diffusion into Diamond andOther Crystalline Structures and Products using its thermal diffusionmethod is commercially viable.The consultant recommended proceeding with a development plan for commercialapplications involving the Manufacturing of Disperse Composite Materials. Healso recommended to proceed with Contact Diffusion into Diamond if reasonablearrangements could be made to secure a license to receive the processed diamondmaterial necessary to complete the process.Upon the recommendations of the consultant, the company met with its patentattorneys and determined that the application deadlines to extend the patentspending on the Manufacturing of Disperse Composite Materials had expired. As aresult, the President, Roger Duffield, met with the inventors of the patents anddetermined a commitment of $ 500,000 to $1,000,000 in capital would be needed tobegin a development program for any commercial applications that would providespecific patent coverage for any process developed. Due to existing financingproblems that the Company was facing, Rhombic's President recommended a mergerwith a private research and development company that had capital and scientists.Unfortunately, Rhombic never received enough information from the company toevaluate a merger and Rhombic's President subsequently resigned.Rhombic impaired the value of FEDOA and its corresponding intellectualproperties as a result of the consultants report and its inability to raisemoney during 2001 for the development of any of its applications.Rhombic believes that its Ultra Violet (Excimer) Lamp may have commercialapplication based upon numerous inquiries it has received from potential buyers.This lamp uses a highly efficient photon emission reaction (7-50%) from excimersto produce wavelengths of vacuum ultra violet (VUV) to visible light. An excimeris an excited state in a molecule that dissociates into an unbound state. Thisfeature means that self-absorption in the lamp is small, and because of this,the lamp can be scaled to large volumes without severe degradation of theemission wavelength. The pioneering excimer lamp technology developed byColumbia Research Instruments is now owned by Rhombic. It efficiently transfersthe energy of electricity to microwaves and microwaves to excimers (transferefficiency between 50 and 90%). This technology produces light of a purewavelength more efficiently than any other light source. This is significantbecause light is used to induce chemical reactions that are wavelength specific.The excimer lamp is orders of magnitude more cost effective (dollar/photonbandwidth) than anything that current technology is capable of producing.4<PAGE>POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONSThe development of these low-cost, high power and large-area VUV to visiblesources promises enormous potential for materials' processing and severalapplications of such sources have already been demonstrated. These sources havebeen used in the production of silicon dioxide; silicon nitride, siliconoxynitride, tantalum pentoxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, PZT and polymers.Multi-layered films can also be produced at low temperature (below 400oC) byphoto-induced processing (photo-CVD and sol-gel processing). Excimer photonsources provide selective intense VUV to visible radiation at specificwavelengths as opposed to other types of light sources. This narrow-bandradiation can initiate chemical reactions, break molecular bonds or modifysurface properties. Like other UV sources, Excimer lamps can be used to inducephoto-polymerization of special paints, varnishes, and adhesives, (a processcalled UV-curing) but do so at a much lower cost per photon than any competitor.The following is an overview of current and potential application areas:(1)Materials deposition/coating of metals: for the production of dielectrics (highand low dielectric constant materials), and semiconducting layers. (2) UVcuring: hardening of paints, lacquers, adhesives, e.g. for printing, textilefinishing, lamination, automotive engineering and equipment engineering. (3)Surface treatment: surface etching including three-dimensional applications. (4)Photochemistry:for-photo-chlorination,photosulpho-oxidation,photonitrosylization, and photo-oxidation. (5) Photomedicine: for treatment ofskin conditions, and tanning. (6) Environmental technology: for ozonegeneration, elimination of pollutants in water and air (chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs), dioxins, etc.) (7) Fluorescent lamps: for flat plasma display panelswithout the use of hazardous mercury. (8) Decontamination: for the destructionof harmful bio-organisms in soil, water or air, for the decontamination ofbiological agents in the aftermath of biological weapon attack, for thedestruction of hazardous chemicals in soil, water, or air, and for thedecontamination of chemical agents in the aftermath of a chemical weapon attack.(9) Photosynthesis: for the initiation of photosynthesis at wavelengths suitedfor chlorophyll absorption. modification of polymers, dry etching of polymers,synthesis of hydrophilic polymers, increasing adhesion between metal andpolymer, and surface cleaning.
,, 6A. Diamond Fuel CellPrevious research over many years by the team of scientists at the University ofMissouri have developed innovations in diamond materials that have shown thecapability to replace the current polymer electrolyte membrane with diamond.This new development in proton diamond electrode membrane (PDEM) technology mayallow high proton transport through the membrane by the process of a non-porousstructure supported by an improved anode and cathode and to which hydrogen ionsare not affected. Furthermore, a major advantage of using diamond is that it canwithstand temperatures four times greater than current membrane material.Rhombic believes that its planned PDEM could operate at higher temperatures thancurrent standard proton polymer electrolyte membrane(PPEM) fuel cells,subsequently, reaction rates would be increased considerably with the platinumcontent decreased by a similar factor, while manufacturing costs would bedrastically reduced. The new diamond membrane does not require moisture; whereascurrent PPEM must be kept moist, thus restricting operating temperaturesIn conclusion the Diamond PDEM fuel cell may allow for higher operatingtemperatures, an increased reaction rate and longevity and a much smaller fuelcell stacked system. Reduced platinum and manufacturing costs that can providean opportunity to produce a fuel cell stacked system at an affordable price. Theresearch budget would require a minimum of $500,000 to create a working modeland approximately $1,500,000 to create prototypes with marketing plans.
"" Chucka near a million dollars is peanuts ...it is OUR MIC and we will FUND IT. See this mornings post at Raging Bull NUKE Board this continues my thoughts, thank you.
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