DOE scientists develop inexpensive hydrogen fuel generation

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Government scientists have made a breakthrough. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed new technology that might have cracked the problem of economically generating hydrogen gas for fuel.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but generating it as a fuel source has posed enormous difficulty. Current methods require significant energy, may require burning fossil fuels, or rare (read: expensive) chemical elements.

Brookhaven scientists announced on Wednesday a new low cost electrocatalyst to use in a chemical reaction to generate gas from water, which they describe as being an “electrocatlytic Goldilocks.” It is comprised of catalytic nickel-molybdenum-nitride, and is described in detail in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a scientific journal.

The cost savings is substantial. Platinum has traditionally been favored as a catalyst, and costs around US$21,418.02 per pound. Nickel runs about $0.55/lb, and Molybdenum costs nearly $35.00/lb.

“We wanted to design an optimal catalyst with high activity and low costs that could generate hydrogen as a high-density, clean energy source,” said Brookhaven Lab chemist Kotaro Sasaki, who first conceived the idea for this research. “We discovered this exciting compound that actually outperformed our expectations.”

Chemists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are exploring a similar method for producing affordable hydrogen with a nickel-molybdenum zinc compound that they describe as being an “artificial leaf.”

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/doe-scientists-develop-inexpensive-hydrogen-fuel-generation/15864

[james&olya 1,121]

Government scientists have made a breakthrough. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed new technology that might have cracked the problem of economically generating hydrogen gas for fuel.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but generating it as a fuel source has posed enormous difficulty. Current methods require significant energy, may require burning fossil fuels, or rare (read: expensive) chemical elements.

Brookhaven scientists announced on Wednesday a new low cost electrocatalyst to use in a chemical reaction to generate gas from water, which they describe as being an “electrocatlytic Goldilocks.” It is comprised of catalytic nickel-molybdenum-nitride, and is described in detail in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a scientific journal.

The cost savings is substantial. Platinum has traditionally been favored as a catalyst, and costs around US$21,418.02 per pound. Nickel runs about $0.55/lb, and Molybdenum costs nearly $35.00/lb.

“We wanted to design an optimal catalyst with high activity and low costs that could generate hydrogen as a high-density, clean energy source,” said Brookhaven Lab chemist Kotaro Sasaki, who first conceived the idea for this research. “We discovered this exciting compound that actually outperformed our expectations.”

Chemists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are exploring a similar method for producing affordable hydrogen with a nickel-molybdenum zinc compound that they describe as being an “artificial leaf.”

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/doe-scientists-develop-inexpensive-hydrogen-fuel-generation/15864

One remaining problem will be to design a way to safely carry enough hydrogen in your vehicle to get you between fill-ups. It is so extremely flammable and not easily liquefied. Think 'Hindenberg'!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'm afraid I have to call BS on this. We know and are told each and every day that the government can't develop anything. All it does is suck money out of my pocket. It has never, nor will it ever contribute anything useful. Period.

[james&olya 1,121]

I'm afraid I have to call BS on this. We know and are told each and every day that the government can't develop anything. All it does is suck money out of my pocket. It has never, nor will it ever contribute anything useful. Period.

If there is any serious potential that this could really displace oil and gas in any significant way than I am sure that the fossil fuel industry will be very busy 'proving' your statement!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If there is any serious potential that this could really displace oil and gas in any significant way than I am sure that the fossil fuel industry will be very busy 'proving' your statement!

[yousufwalton 0]

I'm afraid I have to call BS on this. We know and are told each and every day that the government can't develop anything. All it does is suck money out of my pocket. It has never, nor will it ever contribute anything useful. Period.

Actually there is lots of ways to kick out gas/petrol stuff, but there is no money in it right now as most of the worlds major powers / influences have their hand in the candy jar that is the petrol industry so they would loose to much to make it "common"