BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Western Kentucky University researchers are developing tiny metal particles that could have a big effect on clean energy. The American Chemical Society has awarded $70,000 to the university to help push its work forward.

Ali Er and his group of student scientists often spend hours in the lab at Ogden Hall, working on a laser-based method to create nanoparticles of platinum nickel.

“Each nanoparticle is roughly 1,000 times smaller than a human hair,” Er said.

The method they use is chemical-free.

“All we do is set the laser, focus on the target, create those nanoparticles without using any chemicals,” Er said.

Each laser packs enormous power and then releases it for a trillionth of a second. This builds clean catalysts for energy.

“It can be used for fuel conversi

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