Researchers at the Ural Federal University (UrFU) in Yekaterinburg are developing alternative energy sources. One of the most important areas to focus on is the improvement of fuel cells, the UrFU website .

A team at UrFU’s Life Sciences Institute is working on an upgraded family of materials for fuel cells. The group led by Vladimir Cherepanov, the head of the physical chemistry chair, is trying to develop methodologies to enable researchers to make calculated decisions in choosing compositions and synthesis conditions for compounds that could revolutionize many market segments.

Fuel cells are used across sectors as a power supply agent for buildings, a solution that keeps various engines and motors running, or as a source of power for gadgets like laptop computers and mobile phones. “We are working to come up with materials that would be superior in properties to their current analogs,” Mr. Cherepanov said.

Existing materials for fuel cells are said to be unstable and gradually deteriorate in quality as their service life wears on.