Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Smarter search for fuel-cell catalysts using machine learning

Researchers have developed a new computational workflow combining generative AI with atomistic simulations to identify promising platinum alloy catalyst structures for hydrogen fuel cells. The method produces high-performing candidates from several material combinations, addressing a longstanding challenge in catalyst design.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

SEOULTECH researchers reveal strong public support for hydrogen fuel cell trucks

A study by Seoul National University of Science & Technology found that expanding hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.74 million tons. Public willingness to pay for this transition amounts to KRW 572.4 billion, far exceeding the prevailing carbon credit price.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalTransport Policy·TypeSurvey·DateJan 20, 2026

More hydrogen, more ammonia, more fertilizer, all using less energy

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a mechanochemical method to increase hydrogen saturation in perovskite powder, doubling its capacity. This discovery has significant implications for environmental sustainability and the potential for a hydrogen-based economy, as it enables more efficient production of ammonia fertilizer.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 21, 2025

Researchers succeed in building a low temperature hydrogen fuel cell, thanks to a scandium superhighway

Scientists at Kyushu University have created a solid oxide fuel cell that operates at a low temperature of 300°C, overcoming a major hurdle in their development. The breakthrough uses scandium to create a 'ScO6 highway' for protons to travel efficiently, enabling the production of affordable hydrogen power.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2025

Breakthrough in fuel cell recycling turns ‘forever chemicals’ into renewable resources

Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a technique using soundwaves to separate valuable catalyst materials and fluorinated polymer membranes from catalyst-coated membranes. This breakthrough addresses critical environmental challenges posed by PFAS, which contaminate drinking water and have serious health implications.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalRSC Sustainability·DateMay 6, 2025

UCLA breakthrough extends fuel cell lifespan beyond 200,000 hours, paving the way for clean long-haul trucking

Researchers at UCLA developed a novel catalyst design that shields platinum from degradation, enabling fuel cells to power heavy-duty trucks reliably for up to 200,000 hours. This breakthrough could make hydrogen fuel cells a more viable clean energy source for long-haul trucking.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2025

Artificial intelligence accelerates the development of fuel cell materials

The article explores how AI is accelerating the development of fuel cell materials by predicting stability, performance, and optimizing system control. Machine learning techniques have been successfully applied to various types of fuel cells, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells and solid oxide fuel cells.

SourceELSP·JournalAI & Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 24, 2025

SNU-Hyundai Motor Group jointly develops advanced technology for rapid evaluation of fuel cell catalyst durability and identification of degradation mechanisms

The SNU-Hyundai joint research developed an innovative analysis technique, e-LCTEM, to rapidly evaluate fuel cell catalyst durability and identify degradation mechanisms. This technology accelerates durability testing, reducing evaluation costs and paving the way for more efficient catalyst verification.

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2025

New concept for sustainable fuel cell polymer electrolytes overcomes barriers in high-temperature, low-humidity use, advancing net-zero carbon goals

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a novel fuel cell electrolyte concept using phosphonic acid polymers with hydrocarbon spacers. The new membrane exhibits improved water insolubility, chemical stability and conductivity under high-temperature and low-humidity conditions.

SourceNagoya University·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateDec 10, 2024

DGIST develops nitrogen-doped catalyst technology to accelerate hydrogen fuel cell commercialization

A research team at DGIST has developed a breakthrough technology that improves fuel cell durability by incorporating nitrogen into alloy catalysts. The new method significantly enhances stability and reduces platinum usage, leading to more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 5, 2024

Solving the problems of proton-conducting perovskites for next-generation fuel cells

A newly developed perovskite with large intrinsic oxygen vacancies achieves high proton conduction at low and intermediate temperatures. The material can take up more water to increase its proton concentration, reducing proton trapping through electrostatic repulsion between the dopant and proton.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

Longer-lasting and more sustainable green hydrogen production

Researchers at RIKEN have improved the stability of a green hydrogen production process by using a custom-made catalyst, increasing its lifetime by almost 4,000 times. The breakthrough uses earth-abundant materials, making it more sustainable and potentially cost-effective for widespread industrial use.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Catalysis·DateApr 26, 2024

Fuel Cells: Oxidation processes of phosphoric acid revealed by tender X-rays

Researchers have decoded the multiple oxidation processes at the platinum-electrolyte interface in high-temperature PEM fuel cells using tender X-ray studies. The results show that variations in humidity can influence some of these processes to increase the lifetime and efficiency of fuel cells.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2024

Supercharging fuel cells with caffeine

Researchers at Chiba University have discovered that adding caffeine to certain platinum electrodes can increase the activity of the oxygen reduction reaction. This discovery has the potential to reduce platinum requirements in fuel cells, making them more affordable and efficient.

SourceChiba University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2024

Incheon National University-Harvard University joint research team improves fuel cell durability with fatigue-resistant membranes

Researchers created a polymer electrolyte membrane with an interpenetrating network that enhances fatigue resistance and prolongs the lifespan of fuel cells. The composite membrane exhibits a lifespan of 410 hours, compared to 242 hours for the original Nafion membrane.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2024

New material allows for better hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells

Researchers have developed a solid electrolyte that allows for efficient hydride ion conduction at room temperature, enabling the creation of safer, more efficient hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells. This breakthrough provides material design guidelines for the development of next-generation energy storage solutions.

SourceRIKEN·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateDec 21, 2023

A PEM fuel cell inspired by the structure of a lung

Researchers at the University of Seville have developed a bioinspired PEM fuel cell design that improves the distribution of liquid water inside these batteries. This approach has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and durability of PEM fuel cells, leading to more efficient and sustainable energy systems.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalElectrochimica Acta·DateDec 19, 2023

Understanding the relationship between the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and hydrogen partial pressure

Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the relationship between hydrogen partial pressure and PEMFC performance, revealing a pronounced decline in performance as hydrogen partial pressure decreased. The study aims to simplify fuel cell quality testing, cost reduction, and reduced safety requirements.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2023

New design for rechargeable hydrogen−chlorine battery in wide temperature range

A team of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China has designed a rechargeable hydrogen-chlorine battery that operates in a wide temperature range, from -70°C to 40°C. The battery boasts high Coulombic efficiency and stability, with improved reversibility thanks to a hierarchically porous carbon cathode.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 21, 2023

Template for success: Shaping hard carbon electrodes for next-generation batteries

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science developed nanostructured hard carbon electrodes using inorganic zinc-based compounds, which deliver unprecedented performance and significantly increase the capacity of sodium- and potassium-ion batteries. The new electrodes improve energy density by 1.6 times compared to existing technologies.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2023

Synergistic work of cations in anion exchange membranes for OH- transport in fuel cells

Researchers developed a poly(p-terphenyl isatin) anion exchange membrane with quaternary ammonium and piperidine cations that provides excellent mechanical properties and OH-ion conductivity. The material's stability and tensile strength reach new heights, paving the way for industrialized application of anion-exchange membranes.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2023

Novel proton-conductive membranes for automobile fuel cells

Scientists have synthesized proton-conductive membranes based on partially fluorinated aromatic ionomers, which exhibit high durability and ion conductivity. These membranes outperform existing ones in fuel-cell operation, chemical stability, and mechanical properties, paving the way for more powerful and affordable electric vehicles.

SourceWaseda University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023

New recipes for better solar fuel production

A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2023

Nagoya University researchers in Japan develop a new ultra-high-density sulfonic acid polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells

Nagoya University researchers have developed a poly(styrenesulfonic acid)-based PEM with an ultrahigh density of sulfonic acid groups, exceeding five times that of typical commercially available membranes. The new membrane exhibits a proton conductivity of 0.93 S/cm at 80°C under 90%RH, six times higher than Nafion or Selemion under th...

SourceNagoya University·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateApr 19, 2023

Probe where the protons go to develop better fuel cells

A team led by Professor Yoshihiro Yamazaki from Kyushu University discovered the chemical innerworkings of a perovskite-based electrolyte developed for solid oxide fuel cells. By combining synchrotron radiation analysis, large-scale simulations, machine learning, and thermogravimetric analysis, they found that protons are introduced at...

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

Chaos on the nanometer scale

Researchers at TU Wien have detected clear indications of chaos in chemical reactions on nanometer-scale rhodium crystals, a phenomenon previously unseen in atomic scale systems. The coupling behavior can be controlled by changing the hydrogen concentration, leading to a transition from ordered to chaotic behavior.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

A step towards solar fuels out of thin air

Scientists at EPFL have created a device that combines semiconductor-based technology with novel electrodes to harness water from the air and produce hydrogen gas powered by sunlight. The transparent, porous, and conductive electrodes mimic the properties of plant leaves, which convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2023

How far can a proton make its presence felt when embedded in water?

Researchers have gained insight into the electronic structure of hydrated proton complexes, revealing that three inner water molecules are drastically modified by the proton. The first hydration shell senses the electric field of the proton through Coulomb interactions.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

Hydrogen fuel cell advance: UCLA team exceeds DOE-set targets for fuel cell performance and durability

A UCLA team has made a significant breakthrough in developing hydrogen fuel cell technology that uses tiny graphene pockets to increase efficiency and reduce platinum usage. The new approach enables the creation of smaller particles with more surface area, allowing for better catalytic activity and increased durability.

SourceCalifornia NanoSystems Institute·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2022

Researchers develop new faster charging hydrogen fuel cell

A new method to improve solid-state hydrogen fuel cell charging times has been developed by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney. The study used a semi-cylindrical coil heat exchanger, which significantly improved heat transfer performance and reduced charging time by 59%. This innovation has the potential to revolution...

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 12, 2022

Novel multi-proton carrier complex as efficient proton conductor at high temperatures

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed a novel multi-proton carrier complex that shows efficient proton conductivity even at high temperatures. The resulting starburst-type metal complex acts as a proton transmitter, making it 6 times more potent than individual imidazole molecules.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022