Jan 28
An astronomer from West Virginia University has discovered a never-before-seen river of hydrogen flowing through space—and it could explain why spiral galaxies keep up their pace of star formation.
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Nov 19
Hydrogen is one of the most promising fuels of the future
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Sep 30
Chalk one up for atomic force microscopy. As detailed in a paper published recently in the journal Science, researchers in China have used the imaging technique (as opposed to scanning tunnelling microscopy) to capture an image of a hydrogen bond for the very first time. As io9 explains, hydrogen bonding is common in nature — responsible for the properties of water and the link between the two strands of DNA’s double helix — and it’s something that chemists have long been able to visualize, albeit only on a theoretical level. According to Chemistry World, while there remains much to learn about the nature of hydrogen bonds, the researchers hope that this latest development will help lead to atomic force microscopy (or AFM) being used as a routine tool to examine molecules and offer a clearer picture of them.
Source: Science
Aug 02
While this R/C car technically doesn’t run solely on water, it’s still a pretty interesting scientific toy to have around. This new revision of the hydrogen-powered R/C car is more energy efficient and cheaper than the 2008 original.
Water is poured into the i-H2GO car’s refueling station, then it is electrolyzed. The process splits H2O into hydrogen and oxygen using the power of a solar panel. The hydrogen is then directed into the car, and the car basically runs off hydrogen by converting it into electricity. On cloudy days, you can use a USB cable to electrolyze the water.
The i-H2GO is controlled by an iOS app at the moment. An Android app is forthcoming.
You can get the whole setup for $180(USD) from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. It will ship on August 15.
[via Werd]
Jul 28
People have been talking about running cars on water for years, but it’s a slow march from science fiction to reality. Even on a small scale, development is difficult. But the i-H2GO is the second revision of an all-water remote controlled car that seems to actually work.
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Jul 24
It’ll be about two years yet until you’re able to buy a hydrogen-powered vehicle, but one company is already making progress in ensuring those cars will be as gentle on the environment as possible. BASF, the world’s largest chemical maker, has come up with a hydrogen-making process that would purportedly cut carbon dioxide emissions in half, making fuel-cell vehicles generally cleaner than EVs. Until now, the holy grail has been hydrogen produced without introducing oxygen, as that would mean avoiding carbon dioxide emissions. The problem is, that’s meant cranking up the operating temperature, which means you’re using more energy, which means, uh, you’re looking at some carbon dioxide emissions. In this new system, though, BASF recycles heat more efficiently so that the company doesn’t have to raise the temperature quite so high. Additionally, the company’s cooked up some new catalysts it hopes will make the process more cost-efficient. No word on when or where this method will be implemented, but BASF is already hopeful it could be useful in other industries, like oil refinement, which similarly use lots of hydrogen.
Filed under: Transportation, Alt
Source: MIT Technology Review
Jul 15
Hydrogen Powered Cardboard Race Car
Posted in: Today's Chili
Jul 03
You’d be forgiven for thinking that hydrogen fuel cell cars have vanished when EVs rule the headlines, but GM and Honda haven’t forgotten them — in fact, they’ve just unveiled a new fuel cell partnership. The automakers are jointly developing next-generation hydrogen systems and storage, using their collective resources to cut costs and accelerate their schedule. If all goes well, the two companies will show “commercially feasible” fuel cell products around 2020. Don’t fret if that sounds too distant, however. Honda has already committed to launching an FCX Clarity sequel in 2015, and GM is promising additional fuel cell details at a “later date.”
Filed under: Transportation
Via: New York Times
May 10
US Navy’s Ion Tiger drone leans on liquid hydrogen for longer-lasting spy flight
Posted in: Today's Chili
The US Navy’s quieter way to spy, the Ion Tiger, just bested its own 2009 flight record with a key assist from liquid hydrogen. The unmanned aerial vehicle had previously relied on 5000-psi compressed hydrogen for fuel, but for its latest flight test the Naval Research team swapped that out for a new cryogenic tank and delivery system that relies on the liquid stuff; a choice made for the element’s increased density. With that one significant change in place, the craft was able to outperform its last endurance run of 26 hours and two minutes by almost double, lasting 48 hours and one minute in a flight made mid-April. Spying: it’s not only good for the government, it’s good for the environment, too.
Filed under: Robots
Source: US Naval Research Laboratory
Apr 30
Aston Martin Hybrid Rapide S completes Nurburgring lap with much fanfare, zero emissions
Posted in: Today's Chili
Next month, Aston Martin’s hydrogen-fueled Rapide S will attempt a new record at the 24 Hours Nurburgring race in Germany. The company’s opted to get a head start on headline grabbing, though, taking a prototype vehicle on a zero-emissions lap around the course, with CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez behind the wheel. The test has gone off without a hitch, and Aston Martin appears to be confident that the vehicle will survive the grueling 24-hour marathon, which is set to run from May 19th through the 20th. The four-door sports car, which is based on the Rapide S model that’s soon to make its way to consumers, will operate on a blend of hydrogen and gasoline with zero CO2 emissions. It’ll be the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in such an event, according to the manufacturer. The lengthy race is an impressive feat for any motorist, and we’re glad environmental concerns haven’t taken a backseat to friendly (and exhausting) competition — for this one entrant, at least.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Autoblog
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