A strain of bacteria that releases electrons as a waste product could become the secret ingredient for developing fuel cells for spy drones and other small robots.

During the past two years, scientists have successfully tapped the
chemical reactions from decomposing organic matter on the ocean floor to
create fuel cells that can provide low levels of electrical power for
many months.

For the first time, a microbial fuel cell has generated electricity while cleaning wastewater, a development that could make sewage treatment more affordable for both industrialized and developing nations, researchers said.

The author looks at the potential of hydrogen fuel cells to not only "transform the future energy needs of the United States and the US Air Force, but also to change how and why we fight."

A prototype fuel cell has been developed that uses microbes to generate electricity while cleaning wastewater.

A new report argues that raising fuel efficiency and toughening environmental standards are cheaper ways to cut air pollution and reduce oil imports than developing hydrogen powered cars.

While hydrogen is touted as a clean fuel waiting to replace fossil energy sources, a new study concludes its widespread use could increase damage to the ozone layer that protects Earth from ultraviolet radiation. The report says such tradeoffs shouldn't prevent development of hydrogen fuel cells, but they should be taken into account when considering what measures might be needed to limit any environmental downside of a hydrogen-fuel economy.

Wired magazine feature article on a five-step plan to convert the U.S. to a hydrogen fuel economy and the benefits from doing so.

Society may have to wait 20 years, if not longer, for cars powered by fuel cells to become a familiar sight. But much smaller forms of fuel cell technology may well power electronic devices like laptop computers, video cameras and cellphones by the end of this decade.

The Economist cautions that because hydrogen requires significant amounts of energy to extract in its pure form, the hype over hydrogen fuel-cells is premature.