A new catalyst, developed by PhD Chemistry student Junrui Li and other researchers at Brown, exceeds Department of Energy targets for performing the oxygen reduction reaction, a key step in generating an electric current in a hydrogen fuel cell. 

One factor holding back the widespread use of eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cells in cars, trucks and other vehicles is the cost of the platinum catalysts that make the cells work. One approach to using less precious platinum is to combine it with other cheaper metals, but those alloy catalysts tend to degrade quickly in fuel cell conditions. Now, Brown University researchers have developed a new alloy catalyst that both reduces platinum use and holds up well in fuel cell testing. Read the full article the full article by Kevin Stacey.

Trinity Rep opens the season with Pride and Prejudice. Current Brown/Trinity MFA student Katie Croyle stars as Lydia and Catherine and Rebecca Gibel '10 MFA and Shelley Fort ’15 MFA takes the roles of Elizabeth Bennet and Jane and Miss De Bourgh respectively. This classic romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy is infused with fresh vitality and hilarity in this effervescent new comedic adaptation. It runs October 4 – November 4. More information.

A new study shows evidence that ancient Mars probably had an ample supply of chemical energy for microbes to thrive underground. “We showed, based on basic physics and chemistry calculations, that the ancient Martian subsurface likely had enough dissolved hydrogen to power a global subsurface biosphere,” said Jesse Tarnas, a graduate student in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences and lead author of a study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. “Conditions in this habitable zone would have been similar to places on Earth where underground life exists.” Read more.