Physicists Figure Out How To Make Cleaner Fuel Cells (eurekalert.org)

Mal-2 writes: An international group of scientists from Russia, France, and Germany have developed ion-exchange synthetic membranes based on amphiphilic compounds that are able to convert the energy of chemical reactions into electrical current. The new development described in the journal Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics could potentially be used in fuel cells, and in separation and purification processes (abstract).

The molecules in question, with the working names A-Na and Azo-Na, are promising substances that are classified as benzenesulfonates. They are wedge-shaped and can independently assemble themselves into supramolecular structures — complex organized groups of multiple molecules. Depending on the conditions set by the scientists, the molecules form discs, which, in turn, form columns with ion channels inside.

Comments

How about just making fuel cells, period?

[Darth Muffin]

Aside from a few boutique USB chargers you can't really get one. They've been promised for some time now as the answer to laptops, a household backup system, small generators, off-grid use, and even powering electric cars.

Re:How about just making fuel cells, period?

[Anonymous Coward]

This would be a step towards that. Fuel cells aren't common because they require expensive catalysts like platinum. If you look carefully, there's no expensive molecules in this catalyst. It's all just organic chemistry, no expensive exotic molecules. If you can produce this stuff cheaply, it'd go a long way to producing inexpensive fuel cells.

Re:Doesn't obey the laws of thermodyamics

[wbr1]

Petrol and diesel generators are limited by thermodynamic laws (they do not allow an efficiency coefficient of more than 80% for example), but such laws do not apply to fuel cells.

OK, I know what the author was trying to say, but dang, if I had put that on paper in my thermo class, Dr Biritz would have run me through with a sword.

And, entropy would have increased thereby.