Protonex to collaborate on underwater power systems

By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff

Protonex Technology Corp., a Southborough company that specializes in lightweight power systems to the military, said it is looking to develop oxygen generators for use in undersea power systems.

In a press release, Protonex announced its exclusive collaboration with Eric Wernimont, a former principal of General Kinetics Inc. and present owner of relevant intellectual property, on the development of oxygen generation systems based on the controlled decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

“Current battery technologies are insufficient for the energy requirements of the next generation of underwater sensors and vehicles,” Protonex chief executive Paul Osenar said in a statement. “Protonex has demonstrated the ability to bring together state of the art technologies to provide advanced power systems that can be fielded in the short term. The combination of our fuel cell systems technology, patented sodium borohydride based hydrogen storage and hydrogen peroxide based oxygen storage, is a perfect match of technical maturity, fantastic metrics, and safety.”