Archive for category Hydrogen Power

Linde`s Ionic Hydrogen Compressor Offering Better Fueling Stations

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Hydrogen Power on March 31, 2009

In this new era of alternative fuels, oil companies can’t just stand there and watch electricity and hydrogen take the place of their classic beloved petrol consuming machines. The best strategy they found is the most common-sensed one: get involved little by little in the business, adapt to the market’s needs, and perhaps change your image to the public from black oil to green leaves.

New Palladium Nanoparticles Making Fuel Cells Better

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Hydrogen Power on March 23, 2009

Nowadays, the cost of a hydrogen fuel cell is mostly increased by the cost of its components, and mostly by platinum. In the search for finding better materials for making fuel cells, researchers have already found alternatives to the expensive platinum a long time ago, but they were not as efficient. One of this substitute materials is palladium – far cheaper and much more abundant, but that didn’t have enough surface area to make the fuel cell catalysis efficient.

BMW Develops Hydrogen Powered ICE Based on Diesel Technology

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Efficient engines, Hydrogen Power on March 17, 2009

It’s a known fact that diesel engines are more efficient than the gasoline ones, and that is because they work a little differently on the ignition side. Diesel engines compress the fuel to a point where it heats and explodes, a process known as self-ignition. On the other hand, diesel engines are still polluting the atmosphere.

Extremely Long Platinum Nanowires Will Improve Fuel Cells

Posted by Cristi in Hydrogen Power on March 14, 2009

An article published in a paper in the Nano Letters journal, has described the use of nanowires to provide significant increase in both longevity and efficiency of fuel cells. These long platinum nanowires have been developed at the University of Rochester and could improve fuel cells into a commercially viable solution.

Small Methanol Fuel Cells Powering Soldiers’ Equipment

Posted by Cristi in Hydrogen Power on February 26, 2009

Germans have introduced this week a wearable fuel cell which is based on the award-winning unipolar stack technology design. Called Jenny 600S, the fuel cell delivers 25W for up to 20h. Jenny 600S uses replaceable liquid methanol fuel cartridges and can be worn in a vest.

New Metal-Organic Substance Giving Better Hydrogen Tanks

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Hydrogen Power on February 25, 2009

UK researchers from the University of Nottingham and General Motors from Warren, Michigan, have invented a hydrogen tank material that could replace the current heavy and inefficient pressurized tubes used in today’s hydrogen-powered cars.

Cheaper Hydrogen Obtained with Stainless-Steel Brush Cathode

Posted by Cristi in Hydrogen Power on February 25, 2009

Scientists seem to have found a way to obtain hydrogen from organic matter without the us of the expensive platinum metal. They developed a stainless-steel brush that can help in the microbial electrolysis process reducing the costs in this way up to 80 %.

Genepax (Japanese Water Car Company) Shut to Silence

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen Power on February 24, 2009

In June last year, everyone may have heard the buzz about a japanese water car. The buzz was about Genepax, a company from Japan who had claimed that they invented a revolutionary system that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen and then uses a fuel cell to recombine it and generate electricity. That electricity would have driven a car, fact that they demonstrated in front of the press at that time.

Sugar Cube-Sized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Posted by Mike Sandru in Hydrogen Power, New Inventions on February 19, 2009

The world’s smallest solid-oxide fuel cell(SOFC), as small as sugar cube, was recently developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). The sugar cube-sized SOFC is is operable at 550°C.

World's Largest Fuel Cell Town is Built in Japan

Posted by Cristi in Hydrogen Power on February 9, 2009

The ÃƒÂ¢€Ã…â€œFukuoka Hydrogen Town” project could be the beginning of what organizers say will be the largest hydrogen-powered city in the world.

Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanotubes Make Fuel Cells Compete with Gasoline Engines

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Hydrogen Power on February 7, 2009

Hydrogen is the most looked for energy storage, but using it is very expensive due to the fuel cell – the device that has to convert the hydrogen into energy, with its only output pure water. Because fuel cells use a platinum based material to work, they are very expensive – about $4,000 for powering a normal passenger car. Solutions are being searched for making fuel cells cheaper, more efficient and more durable, with millions of dollars poured in every year.

Liquid Fuel Cell Cathode Technology Breaks the Power Density Record

Posted by Cristi in Hydrogen Power on February 7, 2009

ACAL Energy Ltd. has broken a new record in fuel cell output power with a liquid platinum-free cathode system. The scientists from ACAL Energy obtained, from a development proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell using platinum-free cathode technology, a peak power that constantly exceeded 570mW/cm2.

Ammonia Borane to Store Hydrogen Safely in Solid State

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Hydrogen Power on February 4, 2009

The US Air Force finances a project using ammonia borane (H3NBH3) to pack hydrogen gas for using it in fuel cells. Jadoo Power Systems was given a contract this week to develop ammonia borane pellets for hydrogen generation.

New Catalyst Makes Ethanol Fuel Cells Feasible at Room Temperatures

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Ethanol, Hydrogen Power on January 26, 2009

I don’t know the solution to the perfect energy equation, but as long as we’re producing CO2 it’s not the final one. Anyway, until a new and better method is found to be feasible enough, this is a good one, too.

Aluminum Producing Hydrogen from Water – Almost Free Energy!

Posted by Ovidiu Sandru in Hydrogen Power on January 24, 2009

Penn State University scientists and the Virginia Commonwealth University have found something that is the ultimate dream and hope of alternative energy researchers: use water as a fuel. Their findings show that water can be split into its two constituents, hydrogen and oxygen, at room temperature and without any external energy addition.