Technion researchers develop cheaper hydrogen fuel cells by managing CO2 instead of eliminating it

Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Tianjin University have published a study in Nature Energy showing that managing carbon dioxide, rather than removing it, can improve the durability and reduce the cost of anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). These fuel cells use cheaper materials than conventional ones and can operate with ambient air, making them more practical for vehicles, drones, and remote power systems. The team found that CO2, long seen as a contaminant that harms fuel cell performance, can actually contribute to long-term stability under certain conditions. This CO2 management approach could speed up adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in transportation, aviation, and distributed energy, cutting costs and emissions in sectors that are hard to decarbonize.