Bayer MaterialScience LLC's Makrolon® Polycarbonate Satisfies Strict Safety Tolerance Requirements in Fuel Cell Application

Pittsburgh, PA, April 14, 2011 --(PR.com)-- When selecting a material that could be used to form proprietary components of its new fuel cell, ReliOn Inc. turned to a proven plastic material: polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience LLC.

ReliOn’s E-1100™ hydrogen fuel cell provides 1,100 watts of power. Its modular, compact (seven-inch-tall) and fault-tolerant design makes it ideal for use in wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers; government communications, such as disaster response, flight guidance and security applications; and transportation network communications, including railroad signaling and traffic signage. Because there is no combustion in the process, emissions are limited to warm air and a small amount of water, which makes it an extremely clean and renewable source of energy.

The resin specified, Makrolon® 2458 polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience LLC, offers a number of beneficial properties, including good dimensional stability – even over a wide range of temperature and moisture, according to Kevin Dunay, market leader – Electrical/Electronic (EE) and Information Technology (IT), Polycarbonates NAFTA, Bayer MaterialScience LLC.

“Our Makrolon polycarbonate plastic was a good fit for the E-1100™ fuel cell. The material grade chosen satisfies the safety tolerance requirements of the product,” says Dunay, who notes that fuel cell components that utilize the Bayer MaterialScience LLC plastic are molded by H&H Molds, Spokane, Wash.

Dunay also points out that materials experts at Bayer MaterialScience LLC assisted ReliOn Inc. with material selection, assuring that the grade chosen met the product’s stringent requirements.

“Bayer MaterialScience’s guidance was helpful in our decision to use its Makrolon polycarbonate,” says Sandra Saathoff, director, Marketing Communication, ReliOn Inc. “Choosing the right material was a key step to making our product vision a reality.”

ReliOn is a leader in the development and marketing of modular, fault-tolerant fuel cell products for customers seeking solutions to critical backup power applications. With more than 1,100 systems serving sites in 38 U.S. states and 21 countries, ReliOn customers enjoy the benefits of high reliability, low operating costs and easy maintenance.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,400 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2010 sales of 10.2 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience's North American sales were 2.0 billion euros in 2010. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

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