Fuel cells – in which the energy produced by oxidation of a fuel is converted directly into electrical energy – could supply the energy needs of the future but one of the drawbacks is that the hydrogen used to produce them comes from the burning of fossil fuels.
Abundant
But now engineers at the University of Leeds have discovered a method for producing hydrogen from sunflower oil.
Dr Valerie Dupont, an energy engineer in the university's Energy Resources Research Institute, said: "Producing hydrogen from sunflower oil could provide a more environmentally friendly alternative by reducing these pollutants while offering an abundant, low cost and renewable resource that reduces dependence on foreign oil."
Dr Dupont and her colleagues have developed an experimental hydrogen generator that uses only sunflower oil, air and water vapour along with two highly specialised catalysts.
The new process does not involve the burning of any fossil fuels and the sunflower oil used is the same type found on supermarket shelves.
"We would happily toss our salad with it," said Dr Dupont who added that the process can also work with other types of vegetable oil.
Hydrogen is a key component of fuel cells, reacting with oxygen to generate electricity. Many car manufacturers are developing fuel cell technology, although mass production is a number of years away. Fuel cells can also be used to provide electricity and heat to buildings.
Funding for the study was provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
The research findings were unveiled today in Pennsylvania at the 228th national meeting of the world's largest scientific society.
The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organisation boasting membership of more than 150,000 chemists and chemical engineers.

andrew.hutchinson@ypn.co.uk