Research team develops a new type of fuel cell that collects solar energy A team of researchers from Sweden’s Lund University is currently developing what they refer to as a “supersonic solar fuel cell.” This fuel cell is meant to mimic the photosynthetic process, deriving electrical power from the sun to produce hydrogen fuel, which is then consumed to produce electricity. Currently, much of the world’s supply of hydrogen fuel is produced through the consumption of natural gas, which is a type of fossil-fuel. This makes hydrogen somewhat environmentally hazardous…
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New catalyst could lead to less expensive fuel cells
Research team develops a new catalyst for fuel cells comprised of iron and carbon Researchers from Finland’s Aalto University have successfully developed a new catalyst that can be used in fuel cells. The catalyst is meant to serve as an alternative to platinum catalysts that are quite common in fuel cell energy systems. Conventional catalysts are notoriously expensive, because they are made from platinum, and this affects the total cost of a fuel cell system. By replacing platinum, fuel cells can be more affordable and attractive to those interested in…
Read MoreGlobal market for fuel cells is improving
Stationary fuel cells are finding more support throughout the world The stationary fuel cell market is showing that fuel cells are much more than a passing fancy, according to a new report from Navigant Research. The global fuel cell industry has been experiencing strong growth in recent months due to the introduction of new products and a growing interest in hydrogen fuel as a primary energy source. Stationary fuel cells, in particular, are seeing a great deal of interest and the market is buzzing with hype for these energy systems.…
Read MoreGE makes a breakthrough in clean technology
Clean technology continues to be a significant focus for General Electric General Electric’s new fuel cell design could change the way the world looks at these energy systems. The company has been showing a great deal of interest in fuel cells recently, especially in regards to how they can be used in transportation. GE has been experimenting with various fuel cell designs for several years and may have made a significant breakthrough that could drastically improve the energy production and lower the cost of this technology. Fuel cells are becoming…
Read MoreResearchers win funding for development of hybrid fuel cells
ARPA-E issues funding for ambitious clean technology project seeking to convert methane into liquid fuels Researchers from the Argonne National Laboratory and the Illinois Institute of Technology have been awarded funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). The agency is part of the Department of Energy and was formed specifically to reward high-risk, high-reward clean energy and technology projects with funding and technical support. The agency has issued funding to support the development of hybrid fuel cells that can turn methane into liquid fuels. Hybrid fuel cell…
Read MoreAFC Energy to deliver fuel cells to South Korea
AFC Energy and Daniel Inc. join together to bring clean energy systems to South Korea AFC Energy, a prominent developer of fuel cell technologies, has announced that it has made an agreement with Daniel Inc., an energy company that is focused on fuel cells. Together, the two companies will bring fuel cells into the limelight in South Korea. AFC Energy is set to deliver a 1 megawatt stationary fuel cell system to the country in the near future. This fuel cell system will be part of a larger project that…
Read MoreResearchers develop new fuel cell that could be used in air travel
New fuel cell produced electricity directly from gasoline and jet fuel A team of researchers from the Washington State University have developed a new fuel cell that is capable of converting jet fuel and gasoline into electricity. Fuel cells typically use hydrogen to produce electrical power, but this can be problematic considering the lack of a comprehensive hydrogen infrastructure. The research team believes that their new fuel cell can be a more effective option for transportation, especially when it comes to air travel. Current model exists as proof of concept,…
Read MoreReport predicts the future of hydrogen fuel cells and the growing fuel cell market
New report paints promising future for fuel cell market Grand View Research, a market research and consulting firm, has released a new report analyzing the state of the worldwide fuel cell market. Fuel cells have been growing in popularity over the past three years, but the adoption of these energy systems has remained modest during that time. This is largely due to the fact that fuel cells, of all kinds, are quite expensive, with some fuel cell models being relatively inefficient. As fuel cell technology becomes more advanced, however, these…
Read MoreHydrogen fuel cells take the spotlight in Pakistan
Country to use fuel cells to combat ongoing energy crisis Pakistan is currently facing an energy crisis that has affected much of the country. High demand for electrical power has strained the country’s energy grid, which has struggled to provide people with the energy they need for some time. As the crisis increases in severity, the government is beginning to take steps to resolve the issue. In the coming months, a national organization focused on the deployment of hydrogen fuel cells will be established in order to combat the energy…
Read MorePlug Power purchases assets from prominent hydrogen fuel cell developer
Plug Power acquires technology from ReliOn to expand its presence in the fuel cell market Plug Power, a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cells, has announced that it has acquired the assets of ReliOn, another developer of fuel cell technology. As fuel cells become more popular, these sorts of acquisitions are becoming more common. Companies like Plug Power have been verging on profitability for some time, and acquiring the assets of other companies may be able to aid in the endeavor to achieve commercial success in the future. Acquisition will…
Read MoreMicrosoft shows interest in fuel cells
Fuel cells could power Microsoft data centers Microsoft has been an advocate for renewable energy for some time. The company has investing in clean power projects around the world, but it is beginning to take a more domestic approach in its advocacy. The technology company is expected to make use of fuel cells to power its data centers in the near future. Currently, Microsoft’s data centers are powered by electricity that is produced off-site and the company is looking for a more efficient solution for the future. Company sets sights…
Read MoreRedox takes a new approach to fuel cells
New fuel cells coming from Redox Power Systems Redox Power Systems, a technology startup based in Maryland, claims that it has developed a new kind of fuel cell that could be a major breakthrough for the renewable energy sector. The company suggests that its fuel cell is smaller than most conventional models, but it could provide a significant amount of energy for a variety of purposes. Moreover, the fuel cell from Redox will not be wholly reliant on hydrogen fuel. Instead, this fuel cell can run on a variety of…
Read MoreReport sheds light on future of fuel cell industry
Fuel cell industry sees strong growth Reportlinker, a provider of market research reports and analysis, has released a new study concerning the global fuel cell market. The fuel cell industry has been seeing promising growth in recent years as counties around the world begin to focus more heavily on renewable energy. Fuel cells, in particular, have managed to acquire significant support from the auto industry, but these energy systems are being used for much more than transportation. Report shows that market revenue is growing The study, entitled “Fuel Cells Annual…
Read MoreGerman-US collaboration makes breakthrough in fuel cells
Fuel cells could soon be free from the constraints of platinum A German-US collaboration has made a major breakthrough in the field of fuel cell technology this week. The collaboration is comprised of OH-Energy Germany, the University of Delaware, Fraunhofer ICT, and Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research. Together, these organizations have been experimenting with fuel cell technology, hoping to find a way for these energy systems to produce electrical power without having to rely on platinum. Platinum is a common component in hydrogen fuel cells and is part of the…
Read MoreCeres Power to develop domestic fuel cells in South Korea
Fuel cells could see domestic use in South Korea Ceres Power, a developer of hydrogen fuel cell products, has announced that it has signed a commercial and technical agreement with KD Navien, the largest manufacturer and installer of boilers in South Korea. KD Navien is responsible for the majority of the boilers that are used by consumers throughout South Korea and exports these boilers to other large markets outside of the country. Together, the two companies will work to develop a fuel cell system that can be used in homes…
Read MoreNew catalyst research could lead to more affordable fuel cells
Catalysts continue to make fuel cells unattractive due to cost of materials Hydrogen fuel cells are promising energy systems, but have been confronted with several significant problems that have inhibited their adoption. The chief among these problems is affordability. Fuel cells are often expensive energy systems because of their use of costly materials, such as platinum. Platinum is used to create the catalysts that make fuel cells function properly. The use of platinum, and other expensive materials, spikes the cost of fuel cell manufacture. In turn, this affects the cost…
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