Fuel cell production is not cheap.

That's because they count on platinum to create electricity by turning hydrogen and oxygen into water.

Now some UT researchers think they've found a cheaper alternative to platinum that could boost the technology and bring down the costs.

"This stuff here has the potential to replace the platinum catalyst in the fuel cells. If it does, we can bring down the costs," UT Professor Mechanical Engineering Arumugam Manthiram, Ph.D., said.

One product equals years worth of University of Texas research. It has the potential of revolutionizing fuel cell technology for years to come.

"That's the catalyst we're making that could substitute platinum," Manthiram said.

It's a catalyst preparation based on the chemical palladium.

"This is the set up we use. This is the membrane electrode assembly for the fuel cell. The cost of this new material is less than platinum. That's the biggest advantage," Manthiram said.

But that potential decrease in material cost could increase your chances of experiencing fuel cell benefits in your cell phone, lap tops and beyond.

"You can also use fuel cells for stationary power like to power your house or the whole city," Manthiram said.

Then there's the difference it could one day make for car and wallet.

"You can have higher mileage with the same amount of gas with a fuel cell," Manthiram said.

A lot more testing will come before you'll see any possible effects.

Right now the researchers are looking for partners to help them move their work to the next level. The discovery is published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry.