Slashdot Mirror
Aluminum Alloy Releases Hydrogen From Water
mdsolar writes "PhysOrg is reporting on a method of releasing hydrogen from water by oxidizing aluminum in an alloy with gallium. In the presence of water the aluminum oxidizes, leaving aluminum oxide, gallium, and hydrogen gas. The Purdue scientists who discovered the effect think this could help to overcome difficulties with hydrogen storage. Quoting: 'On its own, aluminum will not react with water because it forms a protective skin [of aluminum oxide] when exposed to oxygen. Adding gallium keeps the film from forming, allowing the aluminum to react with oxygen in the water.'"
Why?...it will just "mysteriously vanish" at the hands of some companies which feel this would threaten their bottom line..
*coughExonMobilcough*
Hydrogen cars are junk science. Sorry folks, but hydrogen takes MORE energy to make than you get back. A lot more. And Hydrogen is energy poor. Burning gas is cheaper, cleaner and more efficent in a hummer or any SUV. But because you've moved the pollution someplace else (just like the prius) you don't notice that you're paying more, and doing more ecological damage than the exxon valdez did.
Hydrogen power is a JOKE people. Doesn't anyone study physics anymore? What kind of geeks are you if you don't even understand the basics of thermodynamics? Everytime energy changes state you lose some. Fuel cells burning gasoline already generate a couple of orders of magnitude greater power than Hydrogen is capable of. Also we already have the infrastructure to deliver it in place.
I couldn't locate concrete numbers, but I'm willing to bet we spend a LOT more money funding Global Warming fear mongerin-- I mean research than we do Fusion power generation research.
.... wood.
Interesting. Current estimates on US research into nuclear power for civilian purposes (generating electricity) is $25 Beeellion dollars, from which we have the following outcomes.
1) Nuclear power still does not produce as much energy as
2) Both the inputs to and outputs from Nuclear reactors cause cancer.
3) The outputs from Nuclear reactors needs to be either (a) Stored at great expense for thousands of years or (b) shipped to the third world at some expense or (c) turned into projectiles and fired at the third world at great expense.
4) Did I mention that the waste from Nuclear reactors causes cancer?
So given how wonderful the fruits of $25B in nuclear power research have been, I can see why you are concerned about the $25B that has been spent on Global Warming Research. Oh, and by the way, the climate change scientists called and asked if you know where the other $24,890,000,000 of their research money has gone. Thanks.
- Nothing to see hear.
Aluminum Oxide? What's that?
Maybe you meant Aluminium Oxide?
[SHOW SOME LENIENCY TOWARDS