New Hydrogen Storage Technique

pwp writes to mention that researchers at the University of New Brunswick are reporting they have found a new method of storing hydrogen gas. The new method is able to condense hydrogen gas into a usable solid under mild conditions. "Hydrogen gas is typically stored under pressure in large metal cylinders, approximately four feet high. These cylinders are heavy and expensive to transport. Since they are under pressure, they also pose a safety hazard. 'We've reached a milestone with our ability to condense hydrogen into a usable solid,' said Dr. McGrady. 'The next step is to produce a safe, compact storage system for the compound that is both lightweight and affordable.' The research is expected to produce reversible hydrogen storage materials that can be processed into a powder for use in limitless commercial applications."

Finally! Instant water

[ciaohound]

The research is expected to produce reversible hydrogen storage materials that can be processed into a powder

Just add water for a delicious instant beverage.

Re:I want more.

[LiquidCoooled]

Make these things into a tablet format and just add water,
Its alka-selter for your car.

Plink-Plink-vroooooooom.

As for the packaging, I would be more worried about the waste of the huge foil tablet wrappers than anything (though, they would be pretty much beanie shaped, so they could be used...)

Solid H

[mastershake_phd]

Solid Hydrogen? I can't wait to heat my house with this stuff. Nothing like a fire made of Hydrogen logs.

Re:I want more.

[Stanistani]

There's very little actual information in the article, so I did some digging - here is the recipe:
- - - - - - - - - -
Brunswick Stew

In a 2 gallon pot, over low heat melt ¼ lb of butter then add:
3 cups small diced potatoes
1 cup small diced onion
2 14½ oz. cans of chicken broth
1 lb baked chicken (white and dark)
8-10 oz. smoked pork

Bring to a rolling boil, stirring until potatoes are near done, then add:
1 8½ oz. can early peas
2 14½ oz. cans stewed tomatoes - (chop tomatoes, add liquid to the stew pot)
3 cups prepared onion barbecue sauce
1 16 oz. can of baby lima beans
¼ cup Liquid Smoke
1 14½ oz. can creamed corn
Slow simmer for 2 hours
- - - - - - - - - -
The exciting revelation is that this recipe actually contains more than twice the percentage of hydrogen by weight that is stated in the article. Real progress.

Re:I want more.

[ch-chuck]

Is it transparent?

(sleep 15)

Flamewar in 3,2,1.....

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

• Cue Slashdot posts emphasising the uselessness of hydrogen due to the fact that we must put more energy into the process than we get out. Well blow me over. Who'd have thought that thermodynamics would apply to our energy supplies?
  
• Cue replies defending Hydrogen in combitation with wind, solar, hydro, wave power etc.
  
• Cue retort about dead bird, bats, fish, displaced persons all being inferior options to the next generation of nuclear reactors.
  
• Cue kneejerk rant about the danger of nuclear power to the environment and proliferation, along with something topical like Iran.
  
• Cue the guy with that "coal releases more radiactivity than nuclear" line.
  
• Cue exasperated response hyperbole about how oil is running out and civilisation as we know it is doomed and we must do something.(optional "for the children")
  
• Cue comment from guy running a P4 about how our resources would last longer if we cut our usage.
  
• Cue poster with link to obscurse new energy theory/perpetual motion machine site.
  

Danm I love this joint!

Sometime in the future....

[solevita]

"Well son, throw another hydrogen log on the fire and I'll tell you all about that time me and Will Smith stopped the alien invasion with nothing but a pocket calculator. Those where the days!"

Re:Solid H

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm looking forward to freebasing a nice pipefully of that powdery stuff.

Re:I want more.

[thrillseeker]

Is it transparent?

That would make a whale of an impact.

You left out...

[jpellino]

The tongue-in-cheek summary shortcut post.
And the wiseass respone to same.

So, to clarify...

[Lurker2288]

"The next step is to produce a safe, compact storage system for the compound that is both lightweight and affordable."

Oh, so you mean, all we have to do now is figure out a way to store hydrogen that's safe, compact, lightweight, and affordable? Well hell, son, why didn't you say so? Our troubles are over!

You Forgot...

[errxn]

Cue Grammar Nazi...Damn I love this joint!

Re:Been done

[Red Flayer]

It's also possible to store hydrogen in a stable solid matrix using oxygen. There are some limitations on temperature (IIRC, the maximum temperature is something like 273 K) as well as a lot of issues with toxicity [dhmo.org]. In addition, most of the energy stored in H2 is used up by adding the oxygen to the hydrogen.

There are, however, plenty of advantages to the oxygen-hydrogen storage matrix, the most significant of which is that it can also be used to chill a refeshing potent potable.

How about liquid hydrogen storage?

[cnaumann]

Here is an idea: create a chain of about 8 carbon atoms and attach 18 hydrogen atoms to this carbon chain. That is about 16% hydrogen by weight! Not only that, it is an easy to handle liquid at normal temperatures and pressures. Imagine simply pouring a liquid into your car for refueling!

Re:Sometime in the future....

[dgatwood]

A virus is caused by a pathogen... let's see... pathogen... pathogens... pathogens are carbon-based life, which means they're mostly water. Water is mostly hydrogen... hydrogen... Ah! Hydrogen is flammable. Flame is hot... and our sun fuses hydrogen, which means the sun is hot. I've got it! We'll launch the aliens into the sun!

(If you don't get the logic, you must have missed the movie.)

Re:How about liquid hydrogen storage?

[Dunbal]

Here is an idea: create a chain of about 8 carbon atoms and attach 18 hydrogen atoms to this carbon chain. That is about 16% hydrogen by weight!

      Even better, design it with 2 carbon atoms. I'm sure you could fit 6 hydrogen atoms on there AND an oxygen atom - imagine that - you're increasing the hydrogen to carbon ratio from 2.25:1 to 3:1 and you're even providing part of the oxygen for combustion. This theoretical fuel should provide more than enough energy to power a vehicle and comes in real handy if you're entertaining guests...

Re:You Forgot...

[Anonymous Coward]

Spelling Nazi, moron.

Re:I want more.

[TheMadcapZ]

Capitan!! There be worn out jokes down here!!!!

Re:I want more.

[Glonoinha]

Screw that - I'm hoping it burns better than thermite (with is pretty much what powdered aluminum is, when you add a little iron oxide.)
The only way they could make it more interesting (fun) than that would be to infuse it with a healthy chunk of sodium or potassium so all it takes to set it off is WATER.

Damn, I'm getting excited just thinking about it (in a totally platonic way, of course.)

Re:Been done

[Sockatume]

You jest, but I've seen research papers on using ices to store molecular hydrogen. They were created in diamond anvils, mind, so it's waaaaay off in the periphery of theory right now, but it's got potential.