Low- or zero-emission high-mileage automobiles powered by fuel cells could be just around the curve with the development of a carbon composite bipolar plate developed at ORNL. A bipolar plate is a key component of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, the technology of choice in the automobile industry because of its low-temperature operation and rapid startup. ORNL's plate overcomes significant barriers in the areas of weight, cost, corrosion resistance, conductivity and manufacturing. A key to the success is the development of a low-cost method to produce a porous carbon-fiber preform and then seal the surface with a conductive carbon. A fuel cell uses hydrogen to produce electricity with water being the only emission.
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