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Microbes Churn Out Hydrogen at Record Rate

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the now-make-stuff-that-uses-hydrogen dept.

FiReaNGeL writes to mention that Penn State Researchers have improved on their original microbial electrolysis cell design bringing the resulting system up to better than 80 percent efficiency when considering all energy inputs and outputs. "By tweaking their design, improving conditions for the bacteria, and adding a small jolt of electricity, they increased the hydrogen yield to a new record for this type of system. 'We achieved the highest hydrogen yields ever obtained with this approach from different sources of organic matter, such as yields of 91 percent using vinegar (acetic acid) and 68 percent using cellulose,' said Logan. In certain configurations, nearly all of the hydrogen contained in the molecules of source material converted to usable hydrogen gas, an efficiency that could eventually open the door to bacterial hydrogen production on a larger scale."

8 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. BLOCK/BAN THIS ARTICLE by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 3, Funny

    Quick, block and ban this article before the boss sees it.
    If he had his way he will fill the water cooler with vinegar to try to increase our productivity.
    (If you are working at EA I'm afraid its too late)

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
    1. Re:BLOCK/BAN THIS ARTICLE by Penguinshit · · Score: 3, Funny

      As long as that vinegar is Chateau Petrus, I'm all for it.

      --

      I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...

  2. This is Slavery! by eln · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is absolutely horrible, and I demand it be stopped! These researchers are advocating the mass enslavement of innocent microbes. These microbes will be forced to work nonstop on Hydrogen production from the moment they are born to the moment they are finally literally worked to death. Multiple generations of microbes will toil endlessly in these bacterial concentration camps, with no relief in sight!

    We must stop the senseless abuse of microbial rights! We must fight for the smallest and most vulnerable among us! Stop this horror now!

    1. Re:This is Slavery! by Jeremi · · Score: 5, Funny
      These microbes will be forced to work nonstop on Hydrogen production from the moment they are born to the moment they are finally literally worked to death


      Relax, dude. We've fixed them up with an excellent simulation of their society at the peak of its development. They'll go happily about their simulated lives, and never know they are just sitting in a vat generating power for us.

      --


      I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
  3. My personal yield... by Penguinshit · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have a high hydrocarbon yield from beer. Does that help?

    Cabbage consumption increases yield dramatically!

    --

    I have something in common with Stephen Hawking...

  4. In Soviet Russia by Degrees · · Score: 5, Funny

    In America, researchers apply a jolt of electricity to their wastewater bacteria. In Soviet Russia, the brew tases you! Don't Tase me, brew!

    --
    "The most sensible request of government we make is not, "Do something!" But "Quit it!"
  5. Re:288 percent increase over electricity input by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Funny

    What worries me is where all the H20 from the hydrocarbon burning process is ending up, never mind the CO2

    It's ending up in our lakes, rivers and streams! Why aren't more people focused on this crisis??

  6. Conservation of energy? by AJWM · · Score: 3, Funny

    bringing the resulting system up to better than 80 percent efficiency when considering all energy inputs and outputs. (emphasis added)

    So like, dudes, where does that other 20% of the energy go? The Phantom Zone? No, wait, that'd be an energy output too.

    Maybe the system just gets heavier.

    --
    -- Alastair