Next generation hydrogen batteries

[dracodraconis]

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn9040-bio-fuel-cells-could-power-portable-gadgets.html

Researchers have developed a new hydrogen cell battery that uses enzymes instead of expensive electrodes. Although currently generating less than 700-mV, the cell generates current from hydrogen and without the need for platinum in the electrodes. Moreover, a membrane is not required to seperate the anode and cathode regions as is required in conventional hydrogen cells. It is hoped that the resulting batteries will be smaller, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper than current models.

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/mg18925401.600

In related news, scientists are using algea to convert sunlight and waste directly into hydrogen. Rather than compete with regular farmland, algae farms can be placed in deserts and similar regions where conventional crops don't grow. It is estimated that for hydrogen to displace gasoline use, 25,000 square kilometres of farms would be required.

Comments

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

It is estimated that for hydrogen to displace gasoline use, 25,000 square kilometres of farms would be required.

Wow... that's actually not all that much: a square 160 km on a side would cover it. For comparison, that's less than half the area of Nova Scotia, or just over 1/400 the area of Canada.

What are we waiting for, exactly? The oceans to rise until that 25000 sq.km is twice the area of Nova Scotia instead of half of it?

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

If we used geothermal heating we could put it up north, turning Nunavit into the next fuel capital of Canada. Of course, this ignores the ongoing problem of how to safely transport hydrogen, and the process is still highly experimental. Still, an interesting concept.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Well, hydrogen can be combined with oxygen to create a highly stable compound for transportation, but recovery of the free hydrogen may be problematic. ;D

It seems that what we need is a high potential energy, high activation energy set of reagents, and a good catalyst. In the absence of the catalyst, it's unlikely that the reaction will get started, so transporation can be safer, but with the catalyst, the energy-to-mass ratio can be quite high without requiring extreme conditions inside the engine.