After a lull in the number of hydrogen fuel-cell related patents being filed, companies are now scrambling to protect advances in fuel-cell development. Patent activity began to grow almost exponentially about seven years ago, initially led by specialist fuel-cell developers, but subsequently by OEMs such as Toyota.

Fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) are still unlikely to be seen on the roads in great numbers before 2015 - 2020, making patents which expire in 20 years far less useful than they otherwise would be. But the massive R&D dollars required to move fuel-cell technology forward, and the potential sales that could result from a successful design, are motivating fuel-cell developers to try and protect their investment.

Fuel Cells Works reports a patent attorney studying the trends as saying that there are five areas of hydrogen fuel-cell development that must be worked on to achieve mass-production in FCVs:

• Reducing cost of the catalyst
• Onboard hydrogen storage
• Infrastructure development
• Reducing membrane cost
• Water management

Analysis: Fuel-cells have proven to be incredibly expensive to develop. The potential is tremendous, but if fuel-cell technology doesn't continue to push ahead aggressively, plug-in electric vehicles might just beat them to the punch.

Related:

• Geneva 2008 Preview: Morgan LifeCar fuel cell concept
• Teenage film star becomes youngest Honda FCX lessee
• Want to try out a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle? Here's how:

[Source: Fuel Cells Works]

On the 13th February we posed the question "What is the best way to spend the DOE's money?", and asked you to vote for your favourite answer.

After receiving 290 votes, the results are in and it looks like Lithium Ion battery technology was the clear favourite with 29 percent of the votes. Two other ways areas that were popular for sinking vast amounts of government research grant funds into were algae biodiesel production and solar photovoltaics which were tied on 20 percent each. The rest of the field was further back.

Analysis: I think a renewable energy Smart Grid is the long-term answer, but this wont be made up of just a single technology. Plug-in electric vehicles connected to an intelligent electricity network which utilises a large degree of renewable energy production will require better battery technology and more solar photovoltaics. But EVs aren't appropriate in every situation - highly efficient biodiesel production will be needed as well for larger vehicles like freight trucks and container ships. But for a start, let's get those battery efficiencies up.

Be sure to vote in our next poll - Just how fuel efficient is your vehicle?

Related:

• State of Florida gives out grant to develop cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane
• Scientists lump all fuel-economy measures in theoretical Vanguard minivan; but is it that easy in the real world?
• Editorial: Why the carmakers seem to be dragging their feet on batteries

Click on the image for a gallery of 29 images of the VentureOne concept and the Carver three-wheeler.

Venture Vehicles has announced that they will develop a two passenger, three-wheeled vehicle powered by either a pure plug-in electric or plug-in hybrid petrol-electric powertrain. Under the working name of VentureOne, the new vehicle is to be designed and built in California based on the existing Carver three-wheeler already available in Europe.

Even with its single front wheel and its narrow form, the VentureOne arguably has more in common with a conventional car than a motorcycle due to the fully enclosed cabin, upright seating position, steering wheel, foot pedals and gear stick. The vehicle is actually the same height and length as a MINI Cooper but the driver sits as high off the road as they would in a BMW 3-Seriers.

Despite the VentureOne's height and narrow body, it will be very stable while rounding bends due to its most astounding feature, the ability to tilt the driver and passenger over as it corners. Like a motorcycle, this means that there is no 'overturning torque' on the wheels and the resultant forces always pass through the centre-line of the vehicle. The Carver three-wheeler pioneered the unique tilting design which allows the front wheel and both in-line passengers tilt up to 45 degrees while cornering even as the rear two wheels, anchored by the motor, remain firmly on the ground.

Carver describes the corner tilting sensation as "You steer it like a car, but when cornering it banks like a motorcycle while you feel like you are flying a jetfighter. The thrill of this tilting capability combined with the handling of a sports car makes for an exhilarating driving experience unlike any other."

Read on for more about the VentureOne and our upcoming interview after the jump.

[Editor's note: In-depth interview with Venture Vehicle's co-founder Ian Bruce is now available here, and we've got some video of the vehicle in action here.]