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December 11, 2024

Groton-based fuel cell developer licenses technology to Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin

Contributed An early prototype of Nimbus’ fuel cell technology for space.
By Andrew Larson

Groton-based Nimbus Power Systems Inc. has developed a fuel cell technology that can be used for space travel through a collaboration with a Jeff Bezos-owned aerospace company, Blue Origin.

Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, creating water as a byproduct. 

Nimbus, which has four patents, has developed a fuel cell that can operate in space, where gravitational forces are limited or unavailable. The technology uses capillary and hydraulic forces to remove water, independent of gravity and momentum.

“Removing the water quickly and efficiently from the fuel cell is the key to achieving high performance, efficiency, and longevity in a fuel cell,” said Michael Gorman, CEO of Nimbus.

On Wednesday, Nimbus announced that it had completed a fuel cell technology licensing agreement with Blue Origin to “facilitate electric power and potable water in space applications.”

Blue Origin, a human spaceflight startup, was founded in 2000 by former Amazon President and CEO Jeff Bezos. 

“This collaboration with Blue Origin combines decades of fuel cell technology advancements, with state-of-the-art crewed space flight systems to serve the rapidly growing market for affordable space products and services,” Gorman said. “We are delighted that our dual-use fuel cell technology will support terrestrial and aerospace applications for years to come.”

Nimbus, which has a 4,500-square-foot facility in Groton, primarily focuses on producing fuel cells as a replacement for heavy-duty diesel engines in buses, trucks, trains, off-road vehicles and marine applications.

Gorman said Nimbus’ unique technology, for both terrestrial and space applications, results in lighter, more efficient and more affordable fuel cell systems.

The company is currently building a product under a Federal Transit Administration program. Also, Nimbus recently announced that it has partnered with the Japanese electronics company Toshiba to jointly develop a “next-generation fuel cell.”

Gorman said the collaboration with Blue Origin “takes our technology into a different market segment – one where we’ve chosen to license to a customer that has a deep knowledge and capability that will accelerate the adoption of the technology.”

As Nimbus grows, Gorman said the company will continue to “selectively license” its technology to “world-class segment leaders.”

Nimbus is looking to expand with recent support from investors, he added. The company’s current funding round is “substantially subscribed,” but will remain open to prospective investors through the end of February 2025. 

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