University of California - Davis has potential fuel cell breakthrough

Cubic zirconia isn't just for the Home Shopping Network anymore. University of California-Davis Chemical Engineering Professor Zuhair Munir and his research team have developed a process for fabricating very small crystal cubic zirconia. They have created crystals as small as 15 nanometers which could be used in fuel cells to allow them to operate at much lower temperatures. Current fuel cells generally operate at temperatures of 1,500-1,800 F. A cubic zirconia-based fuel cell could operate at temperatures of 122-212F. The research team won a Nano50 award from Nanotech Briefs magazine recognizing their work.
[Source: University of California - Davis, h/t to Matthew W.]