The energy stored in xylose splits water molecules, yielding high-purity hydrogen that can be directly utilized by proton-exchange membrane fuel cells.
The authors believe their system could combine the advantages of methanol as a hydrogen carrier and of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for efficient energy production.
But until recently they have suffered from a low power-to-weight ratio, unlike the other sort of room-temperature fuel cell, the temperamental and costly proton-exchange-membrane device, which several firms hope soon to use in motor cars.