Hydrogen fuel cells are a promising green energy source for combating climate change, but existing designs face limitations in generating electricity efficiently due to water management issues. Researchers at the University of Toronto's Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering sought inspiration from nature to overcome this challenge. By mimicking the way lizards and certain plants move water, they redesigned the channels within the fuel cell to enhance water removal and reactant distribution. The nature-inspired design resulted in a significant 30% increase in peak power density compared to traditional designs. This improvement was attributed to a more uniform distribution of water and reactants, optimizing the utilization of the catalyst (platinum) within the cell. Using advanced imaging techniques at the Canadian Light Source, the team visualized the enhanced water management and reactant delivery in real-time. Moving forward, the researchers plan to scale up the design for testing in a larger fuel cell. By leveraging computer modeling, they aim to further refine the biomimetic channels for efficient operation in applications such as electric trucks and remote power generation. The achievement highlights the potential of biomimicry in engineering innovative solutions that not only improve technology but also minimize environmental impact, contributing to a sustainable future.