Mom fueling her hydrogen  fuel efficient vehicle.

909402524

Mom fueling her hydrogen fuel efficient vehicle.

Photo by: Spiderplay

Spiderplay

Hydrogen Power: Moving the World into Clean Energy

By: Robin Fearon

Hydrogen gas is the most abundant element in the universe. It is an odorless, non-toxic, non-corrosive gas that burns easily in air to produce a large amount of heat, zero greenhouse gases, and water pure enough to drink as a by-product.

July 20, 2020

The ‘hydrogen economy’ is seen by many as a natural replacement for our dependency on oil and other fossil fuels. By electrolyzing water we create its base elements, hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as ignition products. Or by chemically fusing hydrogen in a fuel cell with oxygen, we can produce electricity.

The Future of Cars

A Toyota Motor Corp. Mirai fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) sits parked next to a hydrogen dispenser during the opening ceremony of the Toyosu Hydrogen Station, jointly built by Tokyo Gas Co. and Japan H2 Mobility LLC (JHyM), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. The latest filling station that will be used to service Toyota's fuel cell buses during the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games opens Thursday near Tokyo's fish market. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images

1193941372

A Toyota Motor Corp. Mirai fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) sits parked next to a hydrogen dispenser during the opening ceremony of the Toyosu Hydrogen Station, jointly built by Tokyo Gas Co. and Japan H2 Mobility LLC (JHyM), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. The latest filling station that will be used to service Toyota's fuel cell buses during the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games opens Thursday near Tokyo's fish market. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Photo by: Bloomberg

Bloomberg

Fuel cells are how many hydrogen-powered vehicles operate and fitting the technology to cars, trucks, buses, forklifts, and boats is underway. Zero-emissions trains are also in development as part of ‘hydrail’ projects worldwide. Better vehicle manufacture is now requiring science to improve key technologies such as gas storage and electrolysis, while installing essential infrastructures like hydrogen gas stations on highways.

Conventional hydrogen tanks store the gas at 10,000 psi (700 bar), which is around 300 times a car’s tire pressure. This requires reinforced and relatively expensive gas tanks. Researchers led by scientists at Northwestern University have developed a metallic sponge-like material that can make storing this highly flammable gas much safer and improve tank capacity.

Specially designed porous metal-organic frameworks (called NU-1501) bind liquid or gas to their surface, reducing the pressure needed to store hydrogen. This in turn reduces the size of tank needed for fuel cell vehicles and improves their range.

The Need for Speed

Detail of hydrogen fuel cells - alternative and clean source of energy.

954337844

Detail of hydrogen fuel cells - alternative and clean source of energy.

Photo by: hopsalka

hopsalka

Detail of hydrogen fuel cells - alternative and clean source of energy.

Better catalysts to improve the efficiency of fuel cells are another way of improving hydrogen-powered vehicles. By combining the inexpensive and abundant elements of nickel, molybdenum, and magnesium, researchers have developed a long-lasting catalyst that can recycle the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane into hydrogen.

Another method developed in Japan uses light and a catalyst made of iron oxide–simple rust–to speed up hydrogen production. The team used a water-methanol solution rather than water and the catalyst was 25 times more active than a titanium dioxide version, producing stable hydrogen for more than 400 hours.

In the US, scientist teams have discovered ways to power hydrogen production using innovative catalysts that could lead to the gas being used as a method to store energy. One developed a nickel-iron catalyst married to a conducting polymer electrode to make hydrogen capture cheaper, the other improved a high temperature electrolysis procedure to create an entirely new process.

At the Idaho National Laboratory, senior staff engineer Dong Ding and colleagues improved the protonic ceramic electrochemical cell used in high temperature electrolysis using a mineral called perovskite. Their advance lowers the reaction temperature, speeds up production, and is easily reversible. In effect, their breakthrough can turn excess electricity and water into hydrogen for use as fuel, or it can convert hydrogen back into electricity. Excess electricity can then be stored as gas and released for reuse when needed.

Solar power will continue to grow in importance in renewable energy, but another way it could power clean energy is in water splitting. Photocatalysis uses water and sunlight to create hydrogen. Researchers in Japan experimented with ultraviolet light and a special mixture of catalysts to split water at almost 100% efficiency.

Visible light would operate less efficiently, but the team estimates that even at 30% the process would revolutionize solar hydrogen production.

Finally, innovation in the way fuel cells are made can boost their power and could eliminate the need to store and transport hydrogen gas. Liquid-fuelled cells developed using high-power borohydride technology, which operates at double the voltage of conventional hydrogen fuel cells, could power unmanned underwater vehicles and electric aircraft.

Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis say the liquid fuel cells could also be used to extend the range of battery-powered vehicles already on the market.

Next Up

How Lithium Batteries Will Improve EV Range and Rapid Charging

Electric vehicles (EVs) are due for huge upgrades in driving range and charging times as new battery technologies are introduced.

California Proposes Ban on New Gas-Fueled Cars by 2035

If enacted, California’s mandate would be the first to prohibit new gasoline or diesel cars in the next decade.

Car Industry Takes a Hit Due to Chip Shortage

Car manufacturers are facing an unpredictable future as a global shortage of computer chips, semiconductors, and rare earth metals affects traditional and electric vehicles. Large automotive factories have been forced to cut production at a time when a transition to electric models is expected to help fight climate change.

The Tesla Cybertruck was Unveiled and Looks Like it was Beamed in from a Distant Galaxy

The Tesla Cybertruck has finally been unveiled, and looks like it was beamed in from a distant galaxy. Check out exclusive Tesla Cybertruck content, only on MotorTrend!

Electric vs. Hydrogen: The Pros and Cons of Greener Transportation

Transport is one industry that needs to rapidly cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to tackle climate change.

Solid State Batteries Promise Long Life and Rapid Refuel Electric Vehicles

Car companies are investing heavily in electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from transport. But ramping up electric car manufacture means finding a solution to the problem of lithium battery life and slow charging times. Big firms are now pumping money into longer-lasting and safer solid-state batteries.

Tune-Up Your Engines, American Chopper Returns August 4th

Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr. are back to conquer unfinished business in this brand-new 2-hour AMERICAN CHOPPER special, airing Tuesday, August 4 at 9 9P ET/PT on Discovery.

Jesse James is Back with a New Monster Garage on discovery+

Jesse James pushes custom builds to the limit in MONSTER GARAGE, premiering January 4 on discovery+.

Jesse James Returns to Discovery in an All New Season of Monster Garage

Jesse James is back to create some of most mind-blowing vehicles to ever drive across television screens!

Flame Out: UK Brings Forward Combustion Engine Car Ban to 2030

Plans to tackle transport greenhouse gas emissions need ambitious targets to impact Earth’s rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).