NEWS

October 5, 2004

AN IMPROVED FUEL CELL
Electricity is generated in a fuel cell after hydrogen atoms are stripped of their electrons by a catalyst. The resulting free protons pass through a membrane to combine with oxygen and the returning electrons to form water.  
Currently, fuel-cell membranes are made from a fluorocarbon and have fibers that are arranged randomly, making the path that protons travel long and complex.
Newly developed membranes are made from a hydrocarbon and the fibers are organized into conductive blocks. This path is more direct and the protons pass through more easily, generating greater power.