Fuel Cells

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Rethinking renewable energy strategies

Researchers at Queen’s Univ. suggest that policy makers examine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions implications for energy infrastructure as fossil fuel sources must be rapidly replaced by windmills, solar panels and other sources of renewable energy.

Applied electric field can improve hydrogen storage properties

Applied electric field can improve hydrogen storage properties

An international team of researchers has identified a new theoretical approach that may one day make the synthesis of hydrogen fuel storage materials less complicated and improve the thermodynamics and reversibility of the system.

Rock-breathing bacteria could generate electricity

A discovery by scientists at the University of East Anglia could contribute to the development of systems that use domestic or agricultural waste to generate clean electricity. The researchers have demonstrated for the first time the mechanism by which some bacteria survive by "breathing rocks". The findings could be applied to help in the development of new microbe-based technologies such as fuel cells, or ‘bio-batteries’, powered by animal or human waste.  

Is solar thermal the way to go?

Is solar thermal the way to go?

Derek Abbott, an Australian engineer, says that pure liquid or gas hydrogen is a much better energy solution than photovoltaics, or even hydrogen fuel cells. But isn’t it a little difficult to make? Not when paired with concentrated solar energy, he says, and the way to get it is very low-tech.

Recipe discovered to design a better type of fuel cell

U of C chemists have taken the science behind a specific type of fuel cell towards a higher level of design. They have discovered a new material that allows a PEM fuel cell, known as a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, to work at a higher temperature. This discovery is extremely important in terms of increasing the efficiency and decreasing the cost of PEM fuel cells.

Device may generate hydrogen fuel from sunlight

Four chemists from the Univ. of Rochester are building a three-module system that is intended to produce hydrogen from water using carbon nanotubes and artificial photosynthesis. The invention involves the use of chromophores, complex natural molecules that absorb sunlight, that will be re-engineered to generate reducing electrons that will be captured by a nanotube-suffused membrane. The project shows promise and has received federal support.

Fuel-cell powered UAV completes nearly day-long flight

Driven by 550-W hydrogen fuel cell, the 37-pound aircraft built by the Naval Research Laboratory has set an unofficial endurance record for an aircraft of its kind. The invention of certain new technologies, including lightweight hydrogen storage tanks, has allowed fuel cell systems to provide seven times the energy per weight of batteries.

Chemists gain control of light-harvesting paths

Univ. of Florida chemists have pioneered a method to tease out promising molecular structures for capturing energy, a step that could speed the development of more efficient, cheaper solar cells. The work focuses on molecules known as dendrimers whose many branching units make them good energy absorbers. The amount of energy the synthetic molecules can amass and transfer depends on which path the energy takes as it moves through the molecule. The team demonstrated that it could use phased tailored laser pulses—light whose constituent colors travel at different speeds—to prompt the energy to travel down different paths.

New ceramic material opens up new applications for solid oxide fuel cells

New ceramic material opens up new applications for solid oxide fuel cells

A new ceramic material could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells—devices that generate electricity directly from a wide range of liquid or gaseous fuels without the need to separate hydrogen.

Catalyst simulations could lower fuel cell cost

Imagine a car that runs on hydrogen from solar power and produces water instead of carbon emissions. While vehicles like this won't be on the market anytime soon, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are making incremental but important strides in the fuel cell technology that could make clean cars a reality.

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Much ado about next to nothing

Much ado about next to nothing

The recent review of the past 10 years of the National Nanotechnology Initiative--as presented by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology--suggested the rise of nanomanufacturing as the near future of nanotechnology. But the actual proposed funding reflects a cautious approach, even about nanotech in general.

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

I typically attend the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy each year in pursuit of specific coverage. This year, I sought out candidates for coverage in a vacuum technology article, and pulled together some instruments for a spectroscopy guide. But as busy as that kept me, it wasn’t all mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps on the show floor.  

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NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard First Response Protective Clothing are lightweight coveralls, jackets, and pants that provide protection from heat and flame while keeping the wearers body temperature constant.

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Professor David Wessel shows his multi-touch interface that uses computer technologies that allow him to experiment with fine controls to "caress" the instrument.

New To Market

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Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time
Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time

Fluid Imaging Technologies recently introduced its Submersible FlowCAM particle and cell imaging and analysis system at Ocean Sciences 2010 in Portland, Ore. The remote sensing platform can be used for continuous, unattended monitoring tethered to research vessels or autonomous submersibles.

Daytime running light has just two LEDs

The new OSTAR Compact LED from OSRAM has been developed specifically for use in vehicle headlights. Despite drawing just 5 W, the device provides 300 lumens of power and meets ECE/SAE color binning requirements for use on motor vehicles.

Tools & Technology

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High pressure fittings
High pressure fittings

VICI Valco’s 360 µm High Pressure Fitting design permits direct connection of 360 micron OD fused silica, PEEK, stainless, or electroformed nickel tubing without having to use liners.

Ultra-smooth flow chemistry pump

Syrris launched its new Asia Syringe Pump. Designed for flow chemistry, the Asia Pump is rated to 20 bar (300 psi) and highly chemically resistant using PTFE (and other fluorinated polymers) and glass.

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