A research program led by researchers of the University of Winconsin-Madison the University of Maryland and have just made hydrogen vehicles come closer to production reality by developing a potentially pathbreaking nanoparticle catalyst. In layman terms, what this research project does is, it makes producing electricity at room temperature possible. Previously, this wasn’t the case as the ruthenium-platinum catalyst had to be heated to 70 degrees celsius before hydrogen could be produced in the fuel cell. By this new nanoparticle catalyst, the fuel cell can produce electricity at significantly low temperatures, saving energy and instead using the saved energy to propel your car ahead. For this, the researchers at the two universities have created a new type of catalyst, in which a nano particle of ruthenium is surrounded by two layers of platinum. This catalyst ensures that the fuel cell can work even at room temperature ,increasing it’s energy conversion rate significantly. This in turn means, fuel celled cars which have, for long suffered poor energy conversion ratio have some hope now with this new development. And if all goes well, the hydrogen cars could be hitting your neighbourhood car showroom in the near future. Watch this space.
VIA: puregreencars
