Data centers in the United States are consuming increasing amounts of electricity, with projections indicating their share of annual U.S. electricity generation could reach 9% by 2030, compared to 4% in 2023. These facilities require substantial power not only for computing operations but also for cooling systems. Researchers are exploring fuel cell technology as a potential alternative energy source that could help alleviate pressure on the nation’s power grid.
A team led by Gang Wu at Washington University in St. Louis, working with collaborators from Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Northeastern University, and the University of Pittsburgh, has made advances in low-temperature fuel cell technology. Their work, published in Nature Nanotechnology, focuses on improving catalysts that enable fuel cells to convert hydrogen into electricity more efficiently and durably. Fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing water and heat as byproducts, with catalysts playing a crucial role in accelerating this reaction.
The primary challenge in fuel cell development involves designing catalysts that balance both high activity and long-term durability. Platinum is highly effective as a catalyst material but is expensive, prompting researchers to seek ways to minimize platinum content while maintaining performance. The research team developed a new carbon structure consisting of porous, hollow spheres with organized radial channels that allows platinum-cobalt nanoparticles to remain small, evenly distributed, and stable. This design addresses a traditional tradeoff between achieving an ordered atomic structure and maintaining particles at small sizes.
Testing demonstrated that the new catalyst material retained 85% of its performance after 150,000 severe voltage cycles, estimated to correspond to approximately 25,000 hours of operation. The carbon support structure enabled researchers to heat the catalyst to 1000°C, forming a highly ordered atomic structure while keeping nanoparticles smaller than 5 nanometers and preventing uneven distribution. The open channel architecture also facilitates better movement of ions, protons, oxygen, and water through the electrode, contributing to improved overall performance.
If further development proves successful, this fuel cell technology could be applied to various uses including transportation and electricity generation. For data centers specifically, on-site fuel cell systems could generate electricity directly from hydrogen, potentially reducing demand on the electrical grid. The research team has filed a patent for the technology and continues working toward commercialization through potential industry partnerships.
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