Scientists at Washington University in St Louis have used nanotechnology to develop a fuel cell catalyst that is up to five times more effective than those currently in use.

According to Nanowerk News, the researchers have utilised palladium and platinum to create robust catalysts that improve the reactions occurring in fuel cells.

Professor Younan Xia and his team are now looking at the possibility of introducing gold to create a trimetallic catalyst, as the precious metal has been shown to have the ability to oxidise carbon monoxide.

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"Gold should make the catalysts more stable, durable and robust, giving yet another level of control," Mr Xia told the news source.

Nanotechnology has also been employed to help reduce energy costs, with a firm in the US using the technology to improve insulation.

Industrial Nanotech has claimed that the technique can cut expenditure by around 20 per cent by effectively trapping heat in pipes and walls.

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