In this review, we have investigated research results of recent patents of various kinds of Pt or Pd based nanoparticles for catalysis. It includes aspects of practical applications of metal, bimetal or multi-metal based nanoparticles in catalysis and fuel cells. The synthetic methods and catalysts engineering are comprehensively presented in their excellent applications for fuel cells. The aims of this review are to provide achievements and highlights of patents of recent applications of Pt or Pd based material catalysts for various fuel cells. In particular, the Pt or Pd based nanoparticles of certain size, shape, structure, composition show great and promising applications in fuel cells and energy issues. The new and modified catalysts associated with the Pt or Pd based nanoparticles can improve future fuel cells with very high and robust performance. Our ideas and proposals of using a very low weight of Pt metal in novel robust and efficiently designed catalysts are one of the best ways for the large-scale commercialization of fuel cells technology. In addition, the characterization and controlled synthesis of metal, bimetal, multi-metal, and multi-component nanoparticles are discussed in potential applications for fuel cells. Finally, we think that greatly novel discoveries in science and technology through succesful synthesis of novel alloy or core-shell nanoparticles and their excellent applications in catalysis, medicine and biology can be clearly predicted. © 2012 Bentham Science Publishers.