Record-breaking Hydrogen Storage Materials For Use In Fuel Cells Developed

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by zenMachine, Nov 13, 2007.

  1. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Scientists at the University of Virginia have discovered a new class of hydrogen storage materials that could make the storage and transportation of energy much more efficient — and affordable — through higher-performing hydrogen fuel cells.

    “In terms of hydrogen absorption, these materials could prove a world record,†Adam B. Phillips of the University of Virginia said. “Most materials today absorb only 7 to 8 percent of hydrogen by weight, and only at cryogenic [extremely low] temperatures. Our materials absorb hydrogen up to 14 percent by weight at room temperature. By absorbing twice as much hydrogen, the new materials could help make the dream of a hydrogen economy come true.â€

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/...71112133751.htm

    New technique creates cheap, abundant hydrogen

    US researchers have developed a method of producing hydrogen gas from biodegradable organic material, potentially providing an abundant source of this clean-burning fuel, according to a study released Monday.

    The technology offers a way to cheaply and efficiently generate hydrogen gas from readily available and renewable biomass such as cellulose or glucose, and could be used for powering vehicles, making fertilizer and treating drinking water.
     
    #1 zenMachine, Nov 13, 2007
  2. MikeSF

    MikeSF Member

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    Groovy! Now we only need to get our pond scum into full production to make the stuff! :)
     
    #2 MikeSF, Nov 13, 2007
  3. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Nov 13 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]538940[/snapback]</div>
    Great: So a 100-pound hydrogen "tank" would hold 14 lbs of hydrogen. I don't know the energy content by weight of hydrogen, but 14 lbs of gas would be a couple of gallons. So this "breakthrough" means that a one-hundred-pound "tank" holds a couple of "gallons."

    On the other hand, with the fuel cells themselves costing a million dollars or so for a car's worth, assuming they bring the cost down by the economies of volume production, I guess you wouldn't really care so much about the weight of the fuel "tank."
     
    #3 daniel, Nov 13, 2007
  4. oldtown

    oldtown New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 13 2007, 07:07 PM) [snapback]539107[/snapback]</div>
    Hydrogen has 3 times the energy density per pound of gasoline. So, the hundred (and 14) pound loaded tank would have the energy storage of maybe 6 gallons of gasoline. The loaded gasoline tank with 6 gallons of gas would be about 1/2 as heavy as the hydrogen tank.

    Not so bad as it looks at first glance.
     
    #4 oldtown, Nov 13, 2007
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