Cyclone has identified a business line for its external combustion technology in providing universal portable power for next-generation battery charging, as well as mechanical shaft power for autonomous robots, exoskeletons and bio-medical systems. Cyclone views this as a long-term opportunity in a growth industry with substantial global impact.

Critical to achieving system size constraints for portable power and robotics, however, is developing high-power-density thermal sources and combustion systems for next generation Cyclone engines.

McGill’s research in the controlled combustion of energy-dense solid fuels is one of the most advanced programs in the discipline, and can possibly lead to massive technological leaps in generating heat to run micro-scale external combustion engines, Cyclone said.

This early-staged project is part of a larger plan to expand Cyclone’s base technology beyond our current programs and into additional cutting edge markets for the future—integrating ourselves with Lithium-ion batteries, fuels cells and advanced robotics. These growth sectors range from enhancing human capabilities, to human-robotic interaction in medical devices, to even space exploration. It is a logical maturing of Cyclone’s founding mission of innovation to pursue these forward looking opportunities, especially with leading research institutions like McGill.

—Christopher Nelson, President of Cyclone

Cyclone and McGill worked on a project submission previously to the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E program, and although not initially selected for funding, it began a relationship between the two entities. Cyclone’s interest in micro-sized power units began several years ago with its 100W “Genie” concept, which was put on-hold pending additional funding and strategic partners.

Cyclone believes that McGill’s knowledge in high power density fuel systems is essential to obtaining required performance levels, and anticipates inclusion of several more renowned research universities and technology innovation companies to advance the goals of this project.