Scientists Use Microbes to Produce Hydrogen

An anonymous reader writes " Environmental engineers at Penn State University and a research scientist at Ion Power Inc. have created an electrically-assisted microbial fuel cell that can be used to produce hydrogen from organic material. The amount of electricity needed for the process is less than the amount required to power a standard cell phone. This advancement can be used to produce hydrogen as a byproduct of water treatment. " Coverage at ScienceDaily as well.

Comments

Methane

[LiquidCoooled]

I have been using microbes to produce methane for a while now, why can't I run my computer from that?

Need extra power for that long haul flight, just eat a curry before hand!

Re:Methane

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

I have been using microbes to produce methane for a while now, why can't I run my computer from that?

I suspect the H2S you produce along with the methane might upset your computer.

Need extra power for that long haul flight, just eat a curry before hand!

Hmm, I'd like to see the face of the passenger seated next to you when you plug your fuel cell to the "source of energy"...

Please use standard units

[Anonymous Coward]

less than the amount required to power a standard cell phone

What is that in Libraries of Congress per Electronic Arts business day?

Re:Please use standard units

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

What is that in Libraries of Congress per Electronic Arts business day?

That's a silly unit: you know full well the Electronic Arts business day is an infinitely long time constant...

Re:Methane from curry

[lheal]

Your digestive system requires (and produces) various enzymes to digest different foods. Without the proper enzymatic mix, digestion is inefficient and a gaseous output results.

To get a decent methane volume, you have to vary your diet in a pathological way. Eat a sudden excess of foods you seldom eat. Try a progresson of beans - kidney beans, great whites, navy beans, blackeyed peas, and of course, the dreaded garbanzo. Mix in some onion varieties periodically. Then there are the peppers: bell peppers, jalapenos, and even habaneros are very efficient in terms of obtaining the desired output.

Stay away from rice and noodles, as these seem to lessen the effect.

I understand that certain vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, for example, can also have dramatic benefits if consumption is managed properly as above.

Unripe apples and certain kinds of nuts are good candidates, but I find them to quickly lose their efficacy, and so they should be either reserved for a special occasion (such as a wedding or funeral) or simply enjoyed for their non-flatulent properties.