Researchers see manganese helping fuel cells down cost curve

A new manganese-containing material may contribute to platinum-using hydrogen fuel cells being driven down the cost curve.

The new material, made from manganese hydride, is being earmarked for use in molecular sieves that work with the fuel cells in hydrogen fuelled systems that generate electricity.

Science Daily quotes Professor David Antonelli, the physical chemistry chairperson at Lancaster University, as saying the use of manganese-based sieves may result in hydrogen fuel cell systems costing many times less than lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.