This week the governor said it's time to ditch our dependence on foreign oil. He added millions of dollars in his state budget to help with that.

He said, "It's a great opportunity. An opportunity to tackle tomorrow's problems today, right here in New York State." 

Using fuel cells and renewable energy technology, Rochester Institute of Technology researchers are already working on ways to give cars thousands more miles of life. It’s part of their effort to find ways to make fuel cells affordable and make them practicel for everyday life.

RIT researchers are already helping the American military. They’re working on ways to extend the life of humvees. They’re also experimenting with ways to extend the life of an armored transport vehicle designed to carry American marines.

Manufacturing Studies Director Dr. Nabil Nasr hopes his students will discover ways to make fuel cells last longer and to be re-usable.

Dr. Nasr said, "I am confident that they can [change our society] do that. We have a terrific spirit of innovation in the U.S."

Dr. Nasr is often asked how long it will take for fuel cells to become a regular part of American life. He said it would depend on how much investment we make in the technology.

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