Lattice strain refers to a slight, atomic-level displacement in the structure of a material, and researchers at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology have just won research funding to investigate how this phenomenon can be harnessed to produce high efficiency fuel cells. The grants came from MIT, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In case you’re wondering why the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is interested, the lattice strain phenomenon could also help boost the performance of the film used in protective claddings at reactors. While nuclear energy is problematic (at best) in terms of true sustainability, as applied to fuel cells the lattice strain research could bring us closer to a cheaper product that is a viable mass-market alternative to gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels – so thanks, NRC.