The united states produces large amounts of ethanol from crops and agricultural residues, which supports rural economies and domestic energy security

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees $649,958 on May 1, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI, CFDA 10.310) to develop engineered catalyst materials that enable direct conversion of ethanol into electricity within fuel cells. The research team will create small particles that accelerate chemical reactions in fuel cells while reducing reliance on expensive metals compared to current technologies, then test the materials in laboratory fuel cells to measure electrical output and catalyst durability. The project will also provide student training, publish findings, and conduct outreach to academic institutions. Performance occurs in Alafaya, Florida, with a period of performance through April 30, 2030. The work addresses current limitations in ethanol-to-electricity conversion—high cost, low efficiency, and short catalyst operating lifetimes—to strengthen rural economies dependent on agricultural biofuel markets and support U.S. energy independence.

However, today ethanol is used mainly by blending IT into gasoline, which limits its efficiency and overall value. Converting ethanol directly into electricity could provide a more efficient way to use ethanol, but current technologies are limited by high cost, low efficiency, and short operating lifetimes of catalysts. Addressing these challenges is important not only for agriculture and energy producers but also for communities and consumersby creating new markets for biofuels and strengthening U.S. Energy independence. This project will develop new materials that allow ethanol to be converted directly into electricity more efficiently and reliably. The research team will createengineered small particles that act as helpers to speed up chemical reactions inside a fuel cell, while using much smaller amounts of expensive metals than current technologies. These materials will be tested in laboratory fuel cells to measure how much electricity they produce and how long they last. The knowledge gained will be shared through student training, publications, and outreach to academia. If successful, this project will make ethanol-based electricity generation more practical and affordable, opening new uses for agricultural biofuels, supporting rural economies, and contributing to a more secure energy future for the broader society.