Fuel-cell work goes to IdaTech

IdaTech LLC has won a $1.4 million contract from the Energy Department to develop a fuel-cell system for off-road vehicles such as construction and farm equipment, company officials said. The contract is for a three-year research and development program.

The program aims to create a fuel-cell design that addresses tough environmental issues associated with off-road vehicles. The off-road fuel cell will have to deal with dust, heat, humidity, shock and vibrations. IdaTech officials said the technology will have civilian and military applications.

This is the second Energy Department award to IdaTech in the past 14 months, company officials said. In October 2003, IdaTech won a $9.3 million deal to develop a fuel cell that could be used as an energy source for a large facility off the electric grid.