New cells could power laptops

According to a report by BBC News, these cells could replace combustion engines in cars, and mobile device batteries.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen in the UK are planning to create cheaper and lower temperature fuel cells that convert fuel to electricity without the need for combustion, and could be used to power mobile devices such as laptops.

According to a report by BBC News, these cells could replace combustion engines in cars, and mobile device batteries.

The university's chemistry department is trying to develop "carbon-tolerant" fuel cells.

"The aim is to create a new type of low-temperature fuel cell which is able to deal with carbon monoxide better than those about to enter the market - and as a result is cheaper and more efficient in producing electricity," Project leader Dr Angela Kruth said.

"Our research will develop ways in which the fuel cell can better cope with the carbon monoxide found in the fuel which it is converting into power," she added.

Researchers have also been awarded 288,000 pounds of funding from Scottish Enterprise's Proof of Concept Programme for a two-year project to develop their idea of how the electrode can be modified to make it more efficient in dealing with carbon monoxide.