A Possible Breakthrough For Electric Vehicles And Fuel Cell Performance

A new fuel cell membrane inspired by the cactus plant is being hailed by Australian and Korean scientists as a potential breakthrough for the fuel efficiency and performance of electric cars.

A Possible Breakthrough For Electric Vehicles And Fuel Cell Performance N-ELECTRIC-CAR-large570

A Possible Breakthrough For Electric Vehicles And Fuel Cell Performance N-ELECTRIC-CAR-large570

A fuel cell, like the ones used in electric vehicles, produce energy by combining gases such as hydrogen and oxygen, but in order to maintain performance, proton exchange membrane fuel cells -- or PEMFCs -- need to stay constantly hydrated.

At the moment this is achieved by placing the cells alongside a radiator, water reservoir and a humidifier.

"The downside is that when used in a vehicle, these occupy a large amount of space and consume significant power,” CSIRO researcher, Dr Aaron Thornton, who co-authored the membrane study, said.

The new membrane features a water repellent skin allowing the fuel cell to remain hydrated without the need for bulky external humidifier equipment.

"We found that the skin made the fuel cells up to four times as efficient in fuel cells in hot and dry conditions," co-author and CSIRO researcher Dr Cara Doherty told The Huffington Post Australia.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/04/28/membrane-fuel-cells_n_9791366.html?utm_hp_ref=australia

A Possible Breakthrough For Electric Vehicles And Fuel Cell Performance

A Possible Breakthrough For Electric Vehicles And Fuel Cell Performance

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