Katsu Technologies Inc.

Katsu Technologies Inc. is developing an dual-use autonomous Lighter-than-Airship (LTA) for the production, distribution, and logistical coordination of Hydrogen (H2) and synthetic fuels based on processes licensed from the Naval Research Laboratory. The NRL technology is a sea-based synthetic fuel process that combines carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) to make jet fuel at sea. The Lighter-than-Airship has enhanced the NRL process to extract large quantities of CO2 and H2 from seawater and the atmosphere fast and efficiently based on the commercially available electrodeionization cells modified by NRL that function as electrolytic cation exchange modules (E-CEM).

The LTA is licensed from NASA Langley Research Center along with thermoelectric materials and several other innovative technologies. The Lighter-than-Airship produces hydrogen and synthetic fuels from seawater, and distributes it at high altitude via refueling technologies and to refueling stations nationwide, bypassing traditional transportation systems (rail and truck). The LTA is technology enabled by low-cost light-weight reinforced carbon fiber, high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells, thermoelectric materials and a high-performance, network-centric computational systems for long duration autonomous operations. The LTA is a hydrogen fueled machine, power-assisted by an electric motor that gets its electricity from a closed-cycle hydrogen-oxygen proton exchange membrane (PEM) Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell (URFC) and a fluid management system licensed from NASA Glenn Research Center and integrated into a Fluid Delivery System developed and licensed from the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) scaled to process seawater (lake-water, river-water, wastewater) through the unique LTA fuselage. The LTA is operational from sea-level to the stratosphere, unmanned operation in commercial airspace and a platform for transit to deep-space.

The value proposition to NAVAIR and the Department of Defense is for Hydrogen and Synthetic fuels, sourced on or near the required site, delivered anywhere in the world and in theater at a diminishing fraction of current cost lowering, based on the Programs economy of scales. The commercial market opportunity is for Hydrogen production for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and refueling station distribution. The current U.S. market is 12,000 FCEVs with refueling station capacity at approximately 300 kg/day. The target market is for a transformational Hydrogen economy of 300,000 FCEVs with refueling station capacity of 1000 kg/day station. The economies of scale drive production volumes. The current cost of delivery and dispensing Hydrogen is $23/kg by pipeline and $13/kg by liquid tanker. Trucking is the lowest cost option with small market demand (near-term), while pipeline is lowest cost option with large market demand (long-term). Pipelines are problematic in an environmentally conscious public as is an increase in truck traffic in a degrading domestic transportation infrastructure. The current cost of Hydrogen at the pump (low volume - 12,000 FCEVs / 300 kg/day refueling station) is $7/kg. The cost of Hydrogen in a mature market (high volume -120,000 FCEVs / 1000 kg/day station) is $2/kg. The target market in a transformational hydrogen economy (300,000 FCEVs with refueling station capacity of 1000 kg/day station) estimated at below $1/kg. The value proposition is a commitment to ensure that Hydrogen (FCEV, residential/commercial Solar/Fuel Cell storage) customers have a positive cost incentive and fueling experience relative to conventional gasoline/diesel systems as vehicles and home/commercial systems are introduced and transitioned to advanced Hydrogen technology.

Katsu Technologies seeks to certify as a NAVAIR Prime Contractor beginning with the Mentor Protégé Program to achieve this very dynamic and disruptive Lighter-than-Airship technology for the Department of Defense.