[dhitchco]

The fact that FIRST H/Q has added a new "optional" level of education and learning to the whole FIRST experience is indeed a good thing to do.

1) Yes, it does appear that the company that is sponsoring this fuel cell competition is indeed Parker-Hannafin out of Cleveland, OH

2) No, they haven't yet released the actual rules of this offline competition, but it's pretty obvious that even their biggest 12-watt fuel cell won't be able to run an actual FRC robot. However, what's weird is that their own web site states that the contest will involve "installing and de-installing fuel cell system from competition robots".....hmm, makes me wonder.

3) The P/H fuel cell technology is based on hydrogen. Other fuel cell technologies are based on methanol (ala Sterno). So, it will be very interesting to see how the regional venues and/or the Georgia Dome and FIRST corporate handles all of the safety-related issues surrounding the Parker-Hannafin fuel cells. Hey team safety captains, here's your chance to write-up some guidelines!

4) Maybe this technology is good enough to power a VEX robot via a power tether (not directly on-board the robot? LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES.....waiting for rules to be released 11/3, but applications and money are due by 10/27

Oh wait, the web site also mentions "battery/fuel cell hybrid self charging cart". Maybe it will involve putting the fuel cell on the FRC robot cart to automatically charge the regular 12V sealed batteries in that long tunnel between pits and field in Atlanta...cool!