New fuel cell breakthrough could help power energy-hungry data centers
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new ultra-durable fuel-cell catalyst that could help turn hydrogen into a more practical power source for energy-hungry data centers and beyond.
The rapid expansion of data centers across the United States is putting growing pressure on the nation's electricity supply. These facilities require enormous amounts of power not only to operate their computing equipment, but also to keep it cool.
## A New Approach to Fuel Cells
A team of researchers led by Gang Wu, the Elvera and William R. Stuckenberg Professor in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, has developed an approach that could improve low-temperature fuel cells and potentially expand their use as an alternative source of electricity.
## Making Fuel Cells More Efficient and Durable
Fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. The process also generates water and heat. Catalysts help accelerate this reaction while limiting energy losses and supporting stronger performance and longer operating life.
Designing the right catalyst remains a major challenge. Existing fuel cell catalysts still struggle to provide the combination of activity and durability needed to meet important performance goals.
## A Longstanding Platinum Catalyst Challenge
More recently, platinum intermetallic catalysts have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional platinum alloys because they can offer improved activity and stability. However, producing them involves another difficult compromise.
## Tiny Carbon Channels Help Platinum Last Longer
Larger catalyst particles can improve stability, but that often comes at the expense of activity. Other approaches that prioritize activity may sacrifice long-term stability. Wu's team sought to achieve both by creating a nanostructured carbon support with tiny channels arranged in a radial pattern.
The researchers also carefully controlled the size and volume of the pores. In testing, the material retained 85% of its performance after 150,000 severe voltage cycles. The researchers estimate that this could correspond to roughly 25,000 hours of operation.
## A Potential Path Toward Better Fuel Cell Power
The architecture of the carbon support offers additional benefits beyond stabilizing the nanoparticles. Its open channels help materials involved in transporting ions spread more uniformly through the electrode. They also provide easier pathways for protons, oxygen, and water to move.
If further development proves successful, the technology could help improve fuel cells for applications ranging from transportation to electricity generation. For data centers in particular, fuel cells could offer a way to generate electricity directly from hydrogen or other fuels, potentially reducing some of the growing demand placed on the electric grid.
| Material | Size (nm) | Temperature (°C) | | --- | --- | --- | | Platinum cobalt intermetallic nanoparticles | < 5 | 1000 | | Conventional platinum alloys | - | - |
The research was funded by Washington University in St. Louis. Collaborating institutions included Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Northeastern University, and the University of Pittsburgh. Gang Wu has filed a patent on the technology through the WashU Office of Technology Management.
