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AIKEN, S.C. (AP) -- Scientists at a lab at the Savannah River Site are studying ways to power vehicles using natural gas.

The Savannah River National Laboratory is partnering with Ford Motor Company, the University of California-Berkeley and BASF. The project is funded by a $5.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Researchers say they are looking at ways to develop high performance fuel systems to use next-generation metal-organic frameworks that can absorb natural gas at high densities.

Officials say the research at SRNL is one of 13 research projects splitting $30 million to find ways to harness America's abundant natural gas supplies for cars and trucks, and expand the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel.