Micro particles can help vehicle to generate energy in hydrogen gas Hydrogen Fuel Cells

12.19
Micro particles can help vehicle to generate energy in hydrogen gas Hydrogen Fuel Cells -

hydrogen fuel cells has many advantages for the environment if it is used to power a vehicle as it promises to transmit only of water vapor instead of carbon dioxide. However, it is difficult to store a hydrogen gas. Recently, the University of California scientists, San Diego, suggested they have solved the storage problem using 20 microns wide particle that acts as micro-propelled engines.

hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen from the air to power a vehicle and the only waste they emit water vapor. Scientists have suggested that storing such fuel cells in the form of liquids laden with hydrogen content of salts such as sodium borohydride instead of storing the crude hydrogen gas in a pressure vessel.

The hydrogen contained salts will release hydrogen gas when exposed to a metallic catalyst in the form of either nanoparticles or thin films. However, this is not considered a very good solution as the flow rate of release of hydrogen gas is limited by catalyst deactivation by a poor mixture of fuel and accumulation of catalytic reactions by-products.

This is where the invention of the scientist at the University of California might help. Their invention is a micro-motor known as "Janus particles" that has two sides made from different materials. One side is composed of a very fine platinum powder catalytic activity while the other is covered with titanium.

When these micro-motors immersed in a sodium borohydride solution, the platinum side will react with hydrogen charged salt, while the side radicals of inactive titanium. In the end, the deck will produce hydrogen gas that will eventually push the micro particles within the fluid with speed about 250 micrometers per second.

Scientists demonstrate this behavior in a small car model equipped with hydrogen fuel cells and their Janus particles and is proven to work.

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