High-temperature fuel cells just a few degrees away

Large solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) like the one in the photo to the right (see yesterday's related story here) isn't going to be fitting into any cars any time soon, but the technology behind it might. Researchers at Tufts University have found a way to continuously remove the sulfur that builds up in high-temperature fuel cells, according to Technology Review. Removing the sulfur is key because the fuel cells use fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) to generate hydrogen. High temperature fuel cells, like SOFCs could be used to generate massive amounts of power to supply a city once the sulfur problem (and other issues) is solved. Low-temperature fuel cells are already in use in some laptops and buses and the sulfur is often removed before the fuel is put into the fuel cell.
[Source: Technology Review via Renewable Energy Access]