Archives: Fuel Cells

Graphene Quantum Dots Better Than Platinum in Fuel Cells

October 1, 2014 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | Comments Off on Graphene Quantum Dots Better Than Platinum in Fuel Cells | Filed in: Fuel Cells.

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that graphene quantum dots (GQDs) serve as better catalysts in fuel cells than does platinum. And the quantum nanodots are made from (cover your eyes fossil fuel rejectionists) coal. According to Rice, “The Rice lab of chemist James Tour created dots known as GQDs from coal last year and • Read More »

Forty Alstom hydrail trainsets for Germany !

September 25, 2014 | By Stan Thompson | Comments Off on Forty Alstom hydrail trainsets for Germany ! | Filed in: Conferences, Fuel Cells, Hydrail, Infrastructure, Political Issues.

by guest blogger Stan Thompson Since you’re reading this, you already know how indebted the hydrogen community is to Kevin—the originator of this blog—for his role in keeping us up to date with the biggest news about the littlest atom. Today, though, I’m more grateful than ever; Kevin just tipped me off about an article in • Read More »

United Hydrail Nations

September 17, 2014 | By Stan Thompson | Comments Off on United Hydrail Nations | Filed in: Fuel Cells, Hydrail, Hydrogen Economy, Hydrogen Education, Hydrogen Organizations, Hydrogen Vehicles, Hyrail, Infrastructure.

by guest blogger Stan Thompson This update follows much farther behind the wonderfully successful 9th International Hydrail Conference in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (June 2014) than I had intended.  The reason is one I can’t regret: the cast of international players on the hydrail stage has grown so large, and there are so many  intertwining plots, that I can hardly keep up • Read More »

Fuel Cells or Hydrogen Batteries – What’s In a Name

June 18, 2014 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | Comments Off on Fuel Cells or Hydrogen Batteries – What’s In a Name | Filed in: Fuel Cells, Uncategorized.

Bengt Halvorson of Green Car Reports published an article yesterday called, “Should Fuel Cells Have Been Called ‘Hydrogen Batteries’ Instead?” This article begs the question as to whether the name ‘hydrogen fuel cells’ is holding back the technology from being readily accepted by consumers. One person who thinks so is former General Motors executive Larry • Read More »

Hydroxide Exchange Membranes May Be the Future of Fuel Cells

June 3, 2014 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | Comments Off on Hydroxide Exchange Membranes May Be the Future of Fuel Cells | Filed in: Fuel Cells.

Researchers at the University of Delaware have discovered that nano-scale nickel spheres may be the key to cheap and abundant hydrogen via electrolysis of water. Platinum, ruthenium and iridium rare metals often found in fuel cells or electrolyzers and the goal is the replace these elements with something that is cheaper and more abundant. According • Read More »

Neumünster, Germany, Hosts 9th International Hydrail Conference

May 22, 2014 | By Stan Thompson | Comments Off on Neumünster, Germany, Hosts 9th International Hydrail Conference | Filed in: Conferences, Fuel Cells, Hydrail, Hydrogen Vehicles, Hyrail, Infrastructure, News.

by guest blogger Stan Thompson Neumünster, in the Northern German State of Schleswig-Holstein, will host the Ninth International Hydrail Conference (“9IHC”) on 16-18 June this year (2014). This year’s registration details, presenters and agenda information appear on the Appalachian State University hydrail web site, http://www.hydrail.org. German support for the Hydrail Conference has proved so strong that, for the • Read More »

Bimetallic Nanocages Boost Performance for Fuel Cells and H2 Production

April 30, 2014 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | Comments Off on Bimetallic Nanocages Boost Performance for Fuel Cells and H2 Production | Filed in: Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Fuel Production.

Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) have developed a bimetallic nanocage that can reduce the amount of platinum used in fuel cells and electrolyzers. These 3D nanoframes made of platinum and nickel, far exceed the performance of traditional platinum-only catalysts. According to SAE International, “The order-of-magnitude jump • Read More »

Mixed Reactant Fuel Cells May Be the Future

March 19, 2014 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | Comments Off on Mixed Reactant Fuel Cells May Be the Future | Filed in: Fuel Cells.

Mixed reactant fuel cells may be the future according to Mantra Energy Alternatives Ltd. Two advantages of this type of fuel cell are no expensive platinum will be used and there will be no membranes to foul. According to CNN, “A version of Mantra’s ‘Mixed-Reactant Fuel Cell’ will be designed specifically for integration into vehicles • Read More »

A Hydrail Update – Just Because

December 7, 2013 | By Stan Thompson | Comments Off on A Hydrail Update – Just Because | Filed in: Fuel Cells, Hydrail, Hydrogen Economy, Infrastructure.

By guest blogger Stan Thompson It has been too long since I wrote here about hydrail so, to avoid any perception that the issue is coasting down, I’m taking a moment to update the Hydrogen Cars Now readership. So far from coasting down, hydrail activity has been so intense that I’ve haven’t found time to • Read More »

Loofahs for Fuel Cells?

December 5, 2013 | By Hydro Kevin Kantola | Comments Off on Loofahs for Fuel Cells? | Filed in: Fuel Cells.

Loofahs, which come from the ripened fruit of the loofah plant, have long been used for exfoliating skin, turning calloused feet soft like a baby’s behind. Now scientists are using this fibrous loofah plant in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) to treat waste and create electricity. According to ACS.org, “Recently, researchers have turned to plant • Read More »