Junji Hyodo and Yoshihiro Yamazaki (IMAGE) Kyushu University Caption Junji Hyodo (left) and Yoshihiro Yamazaki of the Kyushu University Platform of Inter-/Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT) are searching for new materials and methods that will help bring high-performance fuel cells for clean energy production to a wider number of households in the future. In their recent research, they found that strain caused by small changes in the crystal structure at the interface between a solid oxide electrolyte and the electrode is linked to drastic changes in conductivity that must be overcome to improve the performance of solid oxide fuel cells. X-rays from a system like the one shown here were used to measure the crystalline structure of the electrolyte and identify the strain at the interface. Credit Kyushu University Usage Restrictions Only for media and non-commercial use. License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.