Scientists at Arizona State University develop compact fuel cells with borohydride storage

US scientists say they are making significant progress in the development of compact fuel cells using borohydride as a hydrogen storage compound.

Fuel cell developers working at Arizona State University claim that they have succeeded in creating a small hydrogen generator that could form the basis of compact fuel cells used to power mobile phones, digital cameras and laptop computers.

The research has so far involved utilising a solution containing borohydride – a compound that is able to store large amounts of hydrogen fuel in a relatively compact space.

The compound was chosen, the researchers say, because of its ability to store hydrogen safely and at room temperature, without the need for high temperatures to release the hydrogen.

"We're trying to maximise the usable hydrogen storage capacity of borohydride in order to make this fuel cell power source last longer," explained lead researcher Dr Don Gervasio, a chemist at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute, in the Centre for Applied NanoBioScience.

"That could lead to the longest lasting power source ever produced for portable electronics."

© Adfero Ltd

Source: Adfero