Articles tagged with "fuel-cells"
Record hydrogen fuel recipe cooked by US scientists to power trucks
US scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a novel hydrogen fuel cell catalyst that significantly enhances performance and durability, potentially enabling practical use in heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses. The catalyst features a nitrogen-doped high-entropy intermetallic core composed of platinum (Pt), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), encapsulated by a single-atom-thick platinum shell. This atomic-scale engineering introduces sub-angstrom distortions in the catalyst’s structure, strengthening metal-nitrogen bonds and improving both reactivity and resilience under harsh operating conditions. Tested under rigorous simulations mimicking heavy-duty truck use, the new catalyst endured over 90,000 operating cycles—equivalent to 25,000 hours of continuous operation—while surpassing current Department of Energy (DOE) performance targets. This breakthrough addresses a key challenge in fuel cell technology: creating catalysts durable and efficient enough for demanding commercial transport applications. The research demonstrates a practical pathway toward widespread adoption
hydrogen-fuelfuel-cellscatalystsenergy-storageheavy-duty-vehiclesplatinum-catalystBrookhaven-National-LaboratoryCoral-inspired New 3D printed fuel cell could power lighter jets
Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark have developed a novel, lightweight fuel cell called the Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell (The Monolith), inspired by coral structures and manufactured using 3D printing. This fully ceramic fuel cell eliminates heavy metal components that typically constitute over 75% of conventional fuel cells' weight, resulting in a device that produces over one watt per gram—an unprecedented power-to-weight ratio suitable for aerospace applications. Its gyroid-based architecture maximizes surface area, enhances gas flow, improves heat distribution, and increases mechanical stability. The manufacturing process is simplified to just five steps, avoiding fragile seals and multiple materials, which enhances durability and longevity. The Monolith fuel cell demonstrates remarkable resilience, withstanding extreme temperature fluctuations of 100°C and repeated switching between power-generating and power-storing modes without structural failure. It also produces hydrogen at nearly ten times the rate of standard models during electrolysis. These features make it a promising technology for aerospace and space missions, where
energyfuel-cells3D-printinghydrogen-productionaerospace-technologyceramic-materialsrenewable-energyMini tank-like hydrogen robot runs 20 hours on single charge
The article introduces Hermione, a hydrogen-powered unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) developed jointly by Polish firm P.H.U. Lechmar and French company H2X-Defense, unveiled at the 2025 International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce. Hermione is designed as a modular, versatile platform capable of carrying payloads up to two tons and performing various battlefield roles, including drone transport, logistics support, reconnaissance, and combat when equipped with remote weapon stations or advanced sensors. The demonstrator model shown carried a 300-kilogram payload, measured approximately 11 feet long, and weighed around 700 kilograms. It features all-wheel drive, a top speed of 24 mph, and is built to operate in tough environments. At the core of Hermione is a hydrogen propulsion system powered by fuel cells housed in TPED-certified cylinders, driving eight 8 kW hub-mounted electric motors, supplemented by a 25 kWh battery pack. This combination enables the UGV to
robothydrogen-powerunmanned-ground-vehicleenergy-storagefuel-cellsclean-energybattlefield-technologyFuel cell breakthrough for EV, aviation surpasses one-megawatt power
Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have achieved a significant milestone by operating core components of a next-generation fuel cell system at over one megawatt of power each. This breakthrough is part of the BALIS project, which aims to develop powerful, climate-friendly propulsion systems for aircraft, ships, and heavy-duty vehicles. The DLR team is also constructing a unique test facility capable of developing and evaluating fuel cell electric propulsion systems with outputs up to 1.5 megawatts. This facility, located at the E2U Empfingen Development Centre for Environmental Technology, is notable for its scale and flexibility, allowing comprehensive testing from individual components to entire powertrains. The BALIS project’s fuel cell technology, when powered by green hydrogen produced from renewable energy, offers a promising path toward carbon-dioxide-free mobility. This advancement could revolutionize power-intensive transportation sectors by reducing fossil fuel dependence and enabling zero-emission travel. The DLR setup integrates twelve fuel cell modules, each with
energyfuel-cellselectric-propulsiongreen-hydrogenzero-emissiontransportation-technologyrenewable-energyWater vapor can double conductivity for better fuel cells, study finds
Researchers at the Institute of Science in Tokyo have discovered that introducing water vapor significantly enhances the oxygen ion conductivity of a ceramic material called barium–niobium–molybdenum oxide (Ba₇Nb₄MoO₂₀), which is promising for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). At 932°F (500°C), exposure to water vapor more than doubled the material’s oxide ion conductivity, improving ion flow without relying on protons as charge carriers. This effect occurs because water absorption adds interstitial oxygen ions that facilitate the movement of oxide ions through the crystal lattice by forming and breaking small dimer units, thereby easing ion mobility. This breakthrough addresses a major challenge in SOFC technology, which traditionally requires very high operating temperatures (up to 1,832°F/1,000°C) that cause rapid material degradation and high costs. By enabling efficient ion conduction at lower temperatures around 932°F, the new material could lead to longer-lasting, cheaper fuel cells
energyfuel-cellssolid-oxide-fuel-cellsceramicsion-conductivitymaterials-scienceclean-energyHumidity-enhanced ceramic nearly doubles fuel cell performance: Study
A recent study by researchers at the Institute of Science, Tokyo, in collaboration with Imperial College London and Kyushu University, has demonstrated that water vapor significantly enhances the efficiency of fuel cells using the ceramic electrolyte Ba7Nb4MoO20. This hexagonal perovskite-related oxide conducts oxide ions (O²⁻) through interstitial diffusion within its crystal structure. When exposed to water vapor at 932°F (500°C), the material’s oxygen ion conductivity nearly doubles compared to dry conditions, due to the absorption of water vapor adding extra oxygen ions into structural gaps. These ions form (Nb/Mo)₂O₉ dimers that facilitate easier oxygen ion movement, thereby boosting electrical conductivity. Fuel cells typically operate at very high temperatures (up to 1,000°C), which accelerates component wear, so improving electrolyte conductivity at lower temperatures is crucial. The study’s findings, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, provide new insights into how hydration affects ion transport in Ba
energyfuel-cellsceramic-materialselectrolyteion-conductivityclean-energyperovskite-oxidesinvisible nanobubbles boost clean energy, water, and battery tech
A U.S.-based company, Moleaer Inc., has developed a patent-pending nanobubble technology that significantly enhances the performance of thin-film coatings used in lithium-ion batteries, PEM fuel cells, green hydrogen systems, and water filtration membranes. By integrating billions of nanobubbles into liquid coatings during fabrication, this method improves porosity, dispersion, and structural uniformity of the films without altering their chemical composition. This results in up to a 66% increase in water permeability for ultrafiltration membranes, a 20% boost in power output for PEM fuel cells, and a 17% improvement in current density for hydrogen electrolyzers, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving economic viability. In lithium-ion batteries, the nanobubble-enhanced films enable faster charging, better capacity retention, and improved performance under high-demand conditions, contributing to longer battery life. The technology has been independently validated and can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes without major overhauls, facilitating easier adoption. Moleaer
nanobubblesclean-energylithium-ion-batteriesfuel-cellsgreen-hydrogenwater-filtrationthin-film-technologyChina's new fuel cell tech boosts power with barely any platinum
Chinese researchers have developed a breakthrough in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) by engineering a novel catalyst layer using triazine-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs). This innovation addresses the longstanding challenge of poor oxygen transport within fuel cells, reducing oxygen resistance by 38 percent. The COF-enhanced interface creates a nano-porous mesh that efficiently channels oxygen directly to catalyst sites, significantly improving oxygen utilization and enabling a peak power density of 1.55 W/cm² with an exceptionally low platinum loading of 0.05 mg_Pt/cm². This performance surpasses typical platinum-heavy designs by 1.3 times, marking a major step toward cost-effective and high-performance fuel cells. This advancement is particularly timely given China’s ambitious net-zero emissions goal by 2060 and its push for hydrogen-powered transportation. By drastically cutting platinum dependency—a costly and geopolitically sensitive material—the new technology reduces both material costs and system complexity, avoiding the need for oversized or stacked
energyfuel-cellsplatinum-reductionproton-exchange-membranecatalyst-layerhydrogen-technologynano-interface-materialsUltra-thin membrane unlocks 20% cheaper, greener hydrogen fuel power
hydrogenfuel-cellsenergymembrane-technologysustainabilitycost-reductiongreen-technologyWill Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks Just Follow The Hydrogen Car Storyline?
hydrogenfuel-cellstrucksbattery-electricenergytransportationclean-technologyHydrogen’s Harsh Reality: Plug Power, Ballard, and FuelCell Near the End?
energyhydrogenfuel-cellsPlug-PowerCleanTechsustainabilityfinancial-analysis