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Start-up nabs investment funds

Nanostellar, which develops catalyst technology that could revamp fuel cells, nabs $3 million in funding.

Michael Kanellos Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Michael Kanellos is editor at large at CNET News.com, where he covers hardware, research and development, start-ups and the tech industry overseas.
Michael Kanellos

Nanostellar has announced that it's received $3 million in funding. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based start-up is aiming to replace platinum, a crucial ingredient in the catalytic converters in today's cars and in fuel cells, with a composite of platinum and less-expensive materials. The cost of platinum has been cited by many as one of the challenges facing the fuel cell industry.

Investors included 3i, a British venture capital firm that has been increasingly active in the United States over the past five years, and private individuals. Nanostellar was founded by William Miller, a Stanford University professor who also has served as CEO of SRI International.