fuel cells

A new fuel cell technology is being reported as a possible way to relieve growing strain on the United States power grid. Rising electricity demand from data centres and electrification has put grid reliability in the spotlight, and fuel cells are being discussed as a cleaner, distributed source of backup and supplemental power.

AT&T's chief executive said Elon Musk's SpaceX approach to delivering phone service directly from satellites is not "viable." The remarks add fuel to an ongoing debate between US telecom operators and SpaceX over who will control direct-to-cell connectivity, with carriers betting on partnerships like AT&T's work with AST SpaceMobile.

Researchers report that some people with Long Covid carry autoantibodies targeting neuronal cells, but no single antibody signature defines the illness. Commenters say the findings fit a heterogeneous disease picture, comparing Long Covid and ME/CFS to conditions with autoimmune components rather than classic autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Many say the lack of a uniform marker mirrors their own clinical experience and explains why diagnosis and treatment remain so difficult.

The Philadelphia 76ers have announced a multi-year partnership with Bloom Energy, a company known for its solid oxide fuel cell technology, described as a patch deal. The announcement was made via the team's official channels, positioning Bloom Energy as a new corporate partner of the NBA franchise. Further details about the scope of the deal, financial terms and what the patch will mean for team jerseys have not been widely detailed yet.

Physics World explores the twin challenges of efficiency and durability in fuel cell catalysts, a key obstacle to wider adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles and clean energy. The discussion centres on how catalyst materials, particularly platinum-based ones, can degrade over time, and what research is doing to make them last longer while costing less.

A Wayne State University chemist has published research explaining how organisms detect carbon monoxide, a gas better known as a deadly poison but also used by cells as a signalling and energy-related molecule. The work, reported via Newswise, looks at the natural molecular sensors that respond to carbon monoxide, shedding light on how biology turns a toxic gas into a useful cellular fuel. Further details of the findings and their implications are limited.