University of Hawaii at Manoa Partners with Hoku Scientific to Work on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Research

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Shawn Nakamoto, (808) 956-9095
Director of Public Relations
Kristen Cabral, (808) 956-5039
Public Information Officer
Posted: Feb 28, 2002

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa has entered into an agreement with Honolulu-based Hoku Scientific to develop fuel cell technology.

The agreement with the University of Hawaii allows Hoku Scientific access to University equipment and facilities at a fixed price. Relationships such as this one are just another way the University of Hawaii can assist the state‘s economy and small businesses.

According to Bruce Liebert, associate professor in mechanical engineering, "We are looking forward to working with Hoku Scientific and contributing to their fuel cell development efforts. Hoku Scientific's success will help to establish the University's place in local business."

"It's vitally important to Hawaii's tech development efforts that UH work more closely with local companies,"said Keith Mattson, director of University Connections, a UH Mānoa program whose mission is to connect the UH research community with the business and finance community to stimulate the development and growth of knowledge-based companies in Hawai'i. "Simply having a great university is not enough to stimulate tech sector development. UH needs to work side by side with local companies on research projects."

Hoku Scientific is developing proprietary fuel cell technology for use in a variety of applications. The company‘s technology has proven advantageous over other types of hydrogen fuel cells and it was recently awarded a federal SBIR contract by the National Science Foundation to test a new membrane intended for use in fuel cells.

"Working with the University offers us tremendous advantages," says Hoku Scientific CEO, Dustin Shindo. "The University has the equipment available to assist us in our development efforts, reducing our need to purchase high priced equipment."