| Efforts to
develop materials for use in electrolytic membranes for fuel cells are
intensifying, with fluorine-based materials emerging as the material of
choice.
Dupont, 3M, Asahi Glass and Asahi
Kasei are developing fluorine-based membranes.
Hydrocarbon-based materials also
pose strong competition, with Hitachi Chemical, Tokuyama Corp. Toagosei,
Polyfuel and others pursuing hydrocarbon-based membranes.
Other materials include an electrolyte
membrane developed by Toppan Printing by dispersing solid acid into resins
at the nanolevel; and a membrane with stable chemical and thermal properties
developed by Sony.

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