Delaware State University has been awarded a subcontract to study platinum group metals and NAFION membrane material recovered from fuel cell systems.

The £750,000 contract will see the team complete a four year investigation into the recovery process.

Delaware State University President, Dr. Allen Sessoms said: "Our University is delighted to be a part of this long-term effort to work on these important technologies for the 21st century."

The subcontract deal with Ion Power, lasting five years, will research and develop technologies associated with recycling fuel cells.

Dr Stephen Grot, Ion Power's president said: "Delaware State University is a great complement to our recent cooperative agreement program for the development of pgm recycling technologies."

Several types of fuel cell produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst.