It is hoped that a new breakthrough in fuel cell technology will help broaden the appeal of the alternative energy source.

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a chemical that could enable fuel cells to operate at much high temperature levels without the need for constant moisture.

The researchers hope that the development will lead to a reduction in the cost of the fuel cells as well as allowing them to be used in small electronic devices.

The team at the US institute believe that using triazole could increase conductivity and make fuel cells suitable for use in a range of portable products such as mobile phones or laptops – without being too hot for the user.

"It's going to have a dramatic effect. We're using the triazole to replace water," said Dr Meilin Liu, a professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech.

"Triazole will greatly reduce many of the problems that have prevented polymer fuel cells from making their way into things like cars, cell phones and laptops," he added.

At present some Proton Exchange Membranes used in fuel cells can struggle when even trace amounts of carbon monoxide in hydrogen fuel arise because of the low temperatures needed, with the result contaminating the fuel cell’s platinum catalyst.

The new development may avert the need to stave off this danger, which typically involves an expensive purification process - making the fuel cells more resilient.


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