Photos: Stanford's X-ray vision

Scientists peer inside these machines to examine materials on a molecular or atomic scale. They are currently using the equipment to explore safer ways of storing hydrogen by containing it within carbon nanotubes. This could potentially help to pave the way for hydrogen highways.

Other ongoing clean tech efforts include exploring methods of making cheaper fuel cells that require less platinum.

Stanford scientists spent eight years devising ways to clean silicon wafers with fewer toxic cleaning chemicals like freon in semiconductor manufacturing. Recent research has been done into plastic semiconductors.