Pacific Fuel Cell (PFCE) has sought to secure a patent for a new approach to hydrogen and methanol fuel cells, as it seeks to develop a 'pgm-light' fuel cell.

The firm has announced that it has now landed rights for the Carbon Nanotube Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) and is working with the inventors of the technology to develop it.

Professor Yushan Yan, Dr Wenzhen Li, Dr Xin Wang, Mr Zhongwei Chen, Mr Mahesh Waje, Professor William Goddard and Dr Weiqiao Deng are all named as co-inventors by Pacific, which is keen to exploit the potential for a reduced level of platinum in the devices.

Dr Wang, who acts as director of research for Pacific, said the prototype could herald some significant developments.

"PFCE is planning to make this prototype available to selected commercial organizations for testing and potential joint ventures," he said.

"Additional development will continue in PFCE's new laboratory at the University of California Riverside (UCR) Research Park, utilizing this and other proprietary technologies owned or licensed by the company."

The new fuel cell prototype uses up to 75 per cent less platinum, which the firm is keen to explore further for the cost savings potential.