Overview

• Japanese researchers have discovered that adding caffeine to fuel cells can significantly enhance their efficiency by reducing the need for platinum, a costly component.
• The addition of caffeine to platinum electrodes in fuel cells prevents the formation of platinum hydroxide, improving the oxygen reduction reaction.
• Fuel cells, which convert chemical energy into electricity, could become more affordable and widely adopted thanks to this breakthrough.
• The effect of caffeine on fuel cell efficiency depends on the orientation of the platinum atoms on the electrode's surface.
• This discovery could lead to cheaper manufacturing and more efficient fuel cells, with potential applications in electric vehicles, datacenters, and more.