Breakthrough promises cheaper fuel cells
Feb 10, 2009 Green Technologies, Information of the Day
Researchers from different universities in Ohio,US have made a breakthrough in the design of fuel cells, using carbon nanotubes infused with nitrogen as a catalyst instead of platinum and increasing the electrical output by as much as four times.
The researchers found that, “Vertically aligned nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes (VA-NCNTs) can act as a metal-free electrode with a much better electrocatalytic activity, long-term operation stability, and tolerance to crossover effect than platinum for oxygen reduction in alkaline fuel cells.”
The discovery may make way for cheaper and more efficient fuel cell designs in future. Fuel cells are being touted as one of the options to power devices of the future, from cell phones to cars (the Honda FCX is already being leased out in California). They can use hydrogen or methanol amongst others as fuels and the end product is pure water!
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Tags: Fuel cells, Honda, Ohio
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