News JVTech Electric cars: Researchers have found a miracle solution for storing hydrogen
Hydrogen is probably the fuel of the future for vehicles, but it has one major flaw: the complexity of storing it. German researchers may have found a rather inconvenient way to solve this problem: toothpaste, or almost.
Hydrogen, a poisoned gift
When we stick oil For decades in our everyday vehicles (cars, trucks, scooters), it is present thanks, among other things, to its large quantity on earth, but also to the ease with which we can store this material. Losses are minimal, but they exist A small concern: it pollutes a lot and reserves are beginning to seriously dwindle. It is therefore not a viable long-term solution.
With pioneers like Tesla, Electric cars conquer the market like rock ‘n roll in the 70s claim to revolutionize the movement of people. This is an interesting solution, but it has disadvantages that cannot be overlooked, starting with the production of the batteries necessary for their operation, which represent a small catastrophe for the planet.
So many researchers are turning to hydrogen, a molecule that seems to be the ultimate solution for powering the cars of the future. It’s a source of energy much more ecological than the previous two and could be mass-produced. But there is a major concern: the difficulty and therefore cost of storage.
Hydrogen is a gas that requires very high pressure to store. It must therefore be placed in tanks that can withstand a pressure of 700 bars. This is about 700 times higher than normal atmospheric pressure. A riddle for scientists that has just been solved by German researchers from theFraunhofer Institute (IFAM)
Just hydrogen paste
Hydrogen paste, that’s the whole principle of POWER PASTE, this new composition that could usher in the new automotive revolution. Fraunhofer researchers describe it as a storage substance that can be built into conventional batteries.
In order to succeed in capturing the hydrogen, the researchers use a hybrid form of magnesiuma compound that is easy to find in large quantities. In contact with waterthe hydrogen present in the substance AND in the water is detached, the latter thereby being released and can be used asEnergy agent on call.
IFAM states that the compound is non-toxic and that it can be handled safely
Hydrogen makes up 10% of the mass of POWERPASTE. Therefore, the hydrogen paste becomes light easily portable in a classic container, but also much denser in terms of energy capacity than electricity. In fact, compared to electric car Li-ion batteries, POWERPASTE represents 1600 Wh/kg and 1600 Wh/litre after contact with water, 10 times more than Li-Ion.
Finally, a matter of practicality, the dough works like a cartridge that can be easily replaced In order to forget about this printing history, the hydrogen released during hydrolysis is used immediately.
It’s a great tool for cars, though can of course be used in many other devices how :
- cameras
- electric bikes
- drones
- medical equipment
- generators
- …
This paste cannot be spread and is guaranteed without palm oil.
Hydrogen paste soon in our cars
Unfortunately, IFAM has only just developed this technology. There are still many steps between mass production, profit-sharing by automakers and mass production of compatible cars. It is therefore impossible to know when you can roll with hydrogen dough.