Research group to develop low cost fuel cells

Currently most fuel cells use acidic polymers and therefore need platinum electrocatalysts to work. The research, lead by Dr John. Varcoe, will investigate the possibility of using alkaline, rather than acidic, polymers. These may enable the use of less expensive metals in their electrocatalysts. Accordint to Dr Varcoe: “We recently successfully completed a three year EPSRC funded programme developing alkaline membrane fuel cells. Our work showed that, contrary to prior wisdom, alkaline polymers are good ionic conductors and do not suffer from performance losses. This project also showed that metals such as silver can perform as well as platinum in such systems.” The research, which is due to be completed in March 2011, could also have environmental benefits if the new power sources are longer lasting and less toxic than those in current use.