Piezo Crystals Harness Sound To Generate Hydrogen

MikeChino writes "Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered that a mix of zinc oxide crystals, water, and noise pollution can efficiently produce hydrogen without the need for a dirty catalyst like oil. To generate the clean hydrogen, researchers produced a new type of zinc oxide crystals that absorb vibrations when placed in water. The vibrations cause the crystals to develop areas with strong positive and negative charges — a reaction that rips the surrounding water molecules and releases hydrogen and oxygen. The mechanism, dubbed the piezoelectrochemical effect, converts 18% of energy from vibrations into hydrogen gas (compared to 10% from conventional piezoelectric materials), and since any vibration can produce the effect, the system could one day be used to generate power from anything that produces noise — cars whizzing by on the highway, crashing waves in the ocean, or planes landing at an airport."

Comments

Re:Fuck you /. elitists

[karlwilson]

It seems your wish has been granted.

Re:This SOUNDS Like A Breakthrough!

[Khyber]

"No.

Sincerely yours,

The Second Law of Thermodynamics "

WRONG! 18% pretty much specifically implies there is nothing CLOSE to violating ANY of the laws. The answer is YES. From the starting current from the battery, the radio will produce noise, which will begin the hydrogen-separation process. This hydrogen is converted into energy by being directly injected into the fuel injector and mixed with the atomized fuel. It will produce power.

Sounds like you can't follow the basic route of energy.

Re:This SOUNDS Like A Breakthrough!

[Khyber]

Sounds like you don't have a clue what you're talking about - I've been playing with water engines for years. Give me a gallon of gasoline and ten gallons of water and I can drive from California to Texas before needing a refuel.

I love how you remain ignorant of technology that has been around for nearly a century.