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Feb 16, 2011

Fuel Cells Get Stronger, Potentially Cheaper With Graphene, ITO

As the sustainable Juggernaut of fuel cell vehicles (FCV) powers ever forward, a group of scientists are cooking up ways to make the alternative energy source more durable and even cheaper. By combininggraphene -- think pencil lead -- and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles, the team produced a catalytic material that is both stronger and more chemically active than the usual catalytic combo. Fuel cells typically use a chemical catalyst like platinum, sitting atop a base of black carbon or metal oxides, to break down oxygen and hydrogen gases, creating water in the process -- thing is, carbon is easily eroded by the resulting water, and metal oxides, while more stable, are less conductive. 

Using graphene -- which because of its porousness erodes less quickly -- in combination with the stable ITO and platinum nanoparticles, researchers have created what could be referred to as a super fuel cell -- a stronger, longer lasting, and potentially cheaper version of the alternative energy source. Unfortunately, without enoughhydrogen filling stations, these super fuel cells won't come to anyone's rescue anytime soon.
 
 

25 comments:

elexerdelex said...

I hope soon there will actually be ''green'' cars (no strings attached), and not these ''green-but-we-still-use-a-heckload-of-petrol-and-ruin-the-atmosphere'' cars

ohyoucantsaythat said...

thanks for the interest!

BlahCooCooBlah said...

Wow, that is deep! Nice post :D

broham4567 said...

You've got some interesting info here. I like. :)

Disser2 said...

Wow, it is amazing, I didnt now that before!

kkazzamm said...

Cant wait on hydrogen power to become feasible myself. :)

Anonymous said...

It's good that they are making it cheaper.

Erasmus said...

If they actually get graphene worked out, it will change the world. Well, nanotech in general will. It's just the ultimate material for electronics, building, industry...just everything. Ironic that something as simple as carbon is the "super material".

JWtechparts said...

I guess we can only wait. at least the technology is being developed. just need to wait a while till a large enough distribution can be established.

Joe Somebody said...

Fuel cell batteries for laptops and cell phones. Thats the future. 30 day charges. 3 months of talk time. Thats the future.

Paranormal Explorer said...

Battery technology seriously needs this. I'm charging my phone and laptop way too often these days.

Anonymous said...

interesting.
your blog arouses me

Filipe Ferreira said...

Seems great news.

Galfraz said...

I hope when it comes out that it isn't overly expensive.

Patwa said...

wow nice !

Candlej- said...

the further we can move from depending on a non-renewable resource, the better. and it doesnt hurt if things get cheaper too

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jopjopjop said...

thanks for sharing this information

temptation said...

I think we can expact a great future with the nano tech.

nice info

YEP, GEDDON! said...

Still supportin'!

MRanthrope said...

hey, its a start.

G said...

cool - there are so many uses for fuel cells...a good development

Ramsay said...

It's nice to see people are out there improving green energy. This sounds like it could really help with the high prices of fuel. I wonder when they'll start developing "green" cars.

1904 Blogger said...

interesting stuff

Nathan King said...

I have faith that graphene will take it's predicted course in becoming integrated with our everyday electronics eventually. Like Erasmus said, it will indeed change things. Think stronger/durable materials, more efficient computers, bendable- roll up lcd screens, etc etc etc.

Wolfe said...

Human ingenuity will prevail. However, how come no one ever questions why so many "green" technology patents are held by the oil giants?