Fuel Cell Breakthrough

One of the biggest barriers to the widespread adoption of fuel cells is the high cost of producing hydrogen fuel itself. Most commercial methods still use fossil fuels, which, in addition to being expensive, are somewhat counterproductive to the goal of reducing carbon emissions. More recently, techniques have been developed that split water into hydrogen and oxygen by means of electrolysis, but they require expensive precious metal catalysts, such as platinum and palladium, that are rare and in limited supply.

A new approach is now under development that utilizes inexpensive polymers to generate hydrogen from water electrochemically. Built using more common base metals like nickel and aluminum, the catalyst membranes would be more cost-effective to produce while retaining important characteristics of high conductivity, chemical stability and good mechanical strength.

The company is working with numerous multinational organizations to evaluate the product’s potential. While not yet as efficient as platinum- or palladium-based methods, the technology will be adaptable for fuel cells as well as hydrogen production facilities, and chemical and water applications.