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The chief problem the research is addressing is how to engineer a compact hydrogen generator; use of hydrogen gas as a fuel is well researched, but use of how to efficiently generate and harness hydrogen gas on such a small scale is not.
The hydrogen fuel cell would be specifically powered by ammonia borane, a compound composed of hydrogen, boron, and nitrogen. The solid compound, which is stable at room temperature, begins to release its 20% worth of hydrogen as a gas when heated. Ammonia borane is environmentally friendly, recyclable, and non-toxic, and its use is potentially suitable for devices that have dramatically different power requirements from moment to moment.