SRI International in Menlo Park will receive $875,000 in federal funds to develop technology related to using natural gas as a vehicle fuel, the U.S. Department of Energy announced July 12.

In particular, SRI will focus on developing low-pressure natural gas storage tanks for light-duty vehicles. SRI's approach "using porous carbon materials will provide structural strength and high surface area for gas adsorption that will entirely eliminate the need for a costly external tank," the department said in its announcement.

SRI is one of 13 companies nationwide that will receive a total of $30 million in federal funds to develop technologies to reduce the inefficiencies associated with using natural gas as a vehicle fuel, the department said.

This initiative attempts to move beyond the high pressure, large size and high cost of traditional natural gas fuel systems. "The projects will also focus on developing natural gas compressors that make it easier for consumers to re-fuel at home," the department said.

Click here to download a PDF document describing the other projects.

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