University of Arizona Professor Advances New Fuel-Cell Technology

CHEE associate professor Dominic Gervasio is working with Tech Launch Arizona to commercialize a smaller, lighter fuel cell that can operate at high temperatures without using water.

Fuel cells generate electricity via a chemical reaction using hydrogen. They consist of plates of various materials that create the reaction.

The new fuel-cell technology could be used in automobiles, or for remote or emergency power generation, but one of the chief beneficiaries is expected be the aircraft industry, where limiting size and weight is crucial, Gervasio said.

"The people in the aerospace industry want these fuel cells to improve the efficiency of their aircraft," said Gervasio.