MIT Scientists Increase Fuel Cell Efficiency 50% (Gizmodo)

[eppur_se_muova]

Scientists at MIT have been tackling the efficiency of next-gen power source fuel cells, and have discovered how to significantly improve it. Most current direct-methanol fuel cells use a membrane called Nafion sandwiched between their electrodes, and apparently it's got a flaw. As well as letting hydrogen nucleii through to drive the power-generating process, it apparently also leaks methanol, lowering the efficiency of the cell. By coating the Nafion with a new material (kept secret for now) the boffins have plugged the leak and have been able to measure up to 50% efficiency increases. What's this mean for us? Well, longer-lasting fuel cells in our future gizmos of course.

http://gizmodo.com/391963/mit-scientists-increase-fuel-cell-efficiency-50

ON EDIT: original story by Register Hardware (UK) dates to May 08.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/05/20/mit_fuel_cell_boost/

[BlooInBloo]

1. As always, the devil is in the accountant's ledger on "efficiency"...

Until we're told how much energy it costs to obtain this superdupersecretmagic material, we've been told diddly-squat.