Slashdot Mirror
Using Sun's Energy to Split Water Means Solar Power All Night
phorm writes "Reuters is carrying an article about a recent MIT development which may pave the way for solar-energy to be collected for use in low-input periods. According to Reuters, the discovery of the a new catalyst for separating hydrogen+oxygen from water requires only 10% of the electricity of current methods. This would allow storage-cells to function as a form of battery for other forms of energy-collection, such as solar panels. The new method is also much safer (and likely environmentally friendly) than current methods, which require the use of a dangerously caustic environment, and specialized storage containers." sanjosanjo points out coverage of the process at EE Times, which features the MIT group's press release.
First open sourcing solaris and now this.
Way to go Sun!
Now we only have to solve the problem of storing a very flammable gas and possibly an incredibly powerful oxidizer!
http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/8/20/95
'nuff said.
Scientist and Gamer...
>This would be a big win for any kind of "environmental" energy source (wind, waves, caged toddlers) that isn't always on.
Perhaps you've never seen a collection of caged toddlers. I assure you, they are always on.
I can't believe that this hasn't been tagged "vaporware" yet
Why not just leave it stored as water, then, and electrolyze it as needed?
It is established FACT that Hydrogen is very difficult to contain. It leaks through the tightest seals like they were swiss cheese, and once free it races into the atmosphere and escapes into space.
This is not a major problem when all our hydrogen comes from the deep deposit hydrogen mines in Australia and Canada, but what if this new discovery hearalds an age of wholesail water mining? Do these so-called scientists not realise that we cannot have water without hydrogen? Have they forgotten that humans are 80% water? That water makes our crops grow and our fish swim?? Our life's blood could be literally floating away!
This irresponsible god-gaming may save us from peak oil today, but our grandchildren tomorrow will be facing PEAK WATER if these experiments are allowed to continue!
Write to your political representative today!
Repton.
They say that only an experienced wizard can do the tengu shuffle.
Using Sun's Energy to Split Water Means Solar Power All Night
Well perhaps using Sun's energy is easy for you, but for those of us who don't live close to Sun's headquarters, it is impractical to buy a 100 mile long extension cord.
Taxation is legalized theft, no more, no less.
Where do you live? Afghanistan? I live in a Central American country with crappy electricity and this house is often drawing way more than 5000 W. There are eight computers running, two refrigerators, a large freezer, four air conditioners, a heater in the pool, an electric stove, washer, dryer, and much more.
And they say Americans are energy hogs?
Dude.
1) The hydrogen is used to generate power.
2) To electrolyze water you need power.
3) You suggest we use power that has already been stored *somewhere* to electrolyze water and then use the hydrogen to generate power.
4) Laws of thermodynamics.
5) ???
6) Profit.
I don't think so. I just chose a vacuum cleaner at random from a retailer web site and it uses 2000W
Pro Tip: turn off your vacuum cleaner when you go to bed.
that would be ...popular science...you know thet got a magazine and all.
"You can kill the revolutionary, but you can't kill the revolution."-- Fred Hampton
Also, don't get me wrong, I would love it more people rode bikes to work. That would free up the free ways so I could get to work in less than an hour.
You're not alone! A recent study by the American Public Transportation Association found that 98 percent of Americans support the use of mass transit by others.
If you lived on
I'll be waiting eagerly to see these experiments repeated in a controlled environment.
I had a mental image there of the "uncontrolled environment" of MIT labs...blow...hookers...party hats...whistles...liquid nitrogen...
Debian FTW
There, fixed that for you.
What are you trying to do, ruin my sex life?
I hold very few opinions. I hold information based on observation and fact. If you wish to disagree, please use facts.
All you super-nerds are wrong, US electrical service is 120/208v. Stuff that in your graphing calculator and smoke it, four-eyes.
sorry for the troll, nothing personal. it's friday.