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Just Add Water: How Scientists Are Using Silicon to Produce Hydrogen On Demand

Science Daily -- Jan. 22, 2013 — Super-small particles of silicon react with water to produce hydrogen almost instantaneously, according to University at Buffalo researchers.

In a series of experiments, the scientists created spherical silicon particles about 10 nanometers in diameter. When combined with water, these particles reacted to form silicic acid (a nontoxic byproduct) and hydrogen -- a potential source of energy for fuel cells.

The reaction didn't require any light, heat or electricity, and also created hydrogen about 150 times faster than similar reactions using silicon particles 100 nanometers wide, and 1,000 times faster than bulk silicon, according to the study.

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Submitted Jan 27, 2013 By: BennoBlue

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goldrose1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:10,926 Points:1,922,555 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 10:07:49 AM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse check
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,953 Points:2,114,690 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 8:49:08 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Keep on pursuing ALL forms of alternative energy!
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,743 Points:588,820 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 7:21:06 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Alrighty then lets put it to use.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,541 Points:1,170,760 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 7:44:37 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Sounds logical, smaller particles have much more surface area than larger sized ones, when comparing materials/elements of equal weight, thus there is more surface area to react with the water.
K9LO Champion Author North Dakota Posts:2,669 Points:541,055 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 1:26:04 PM Ignore K9LO Report Abuse Cheap energy. just add water
ScottE Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,352 Points:2,196,880 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 1:03:20 PM Ignore ScottE Report Abuse Really. Wait till big oil execs send in their killer teams.They will sabotage this as they have in other new powerplants over the decades. GREED trumps benefits to MAN! Hopefully ALL their built up BADDDD kARMA will get them ALL (INCLUDING Speculators) back to their early graves as their all Nocturnal bloodsuckers.
nsdp Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,117 Points:47,290 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 12:28:09 PM Ignore nsdp Report Abuse Even with the small particles they have to add some energy some where . First law of thermodynamics is "you can't get something for nothing". Second law is "You can't even break even". Story is missing something key somewhere.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,135 Points:1,295,195 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 11:45:30 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse "Though it takes significant energy and resources to produce the super-small silicon balls, the particles could help power portable devices in situations where water is available and portability is more important than low cost."
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,576 Points:480,635 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 11:00:29 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse Doesn't look like it's a very efficient to power an EV.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,101 Points:2,368,445 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 7:40:53 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse anyone remember the hindenburg ?
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,378 Points:1,266,235 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:45:40 AM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse ok
FogCitySpotter Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,473 Points:519,250 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:18:29 AM Ignore FogCitySpotter Report Abuse They will definitely find a way to tax it
Petrock Champion Author Lexington Posts:9,108 Points:2,554,835 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:18:22 AM Ignore Petrock Report Abuse So how many gallons of water / waste silicic acid does it take to make a car go a mile? How much energy does it take to make the silicon spheres you will need?
lsb1955 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:2,013 Points:516,645 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:16:46 AM Ignore lsb1955 Report Abuse ok
TravelinMan52 Champion Author Augusta Posts:1,910 Points:960,720 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:12:56 AM Ignore TravelinMan52 Report Abuse Once they can figure how to charge for it and tax it, we may see it available for use...
Foxt Champion Author Minnesota Posts:5,245 Points:2,017,405 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:09:15 AM Ignore Foxt Report Abuse This will be the fuel of the future as soon as they figure a way they can charge for it.
dar 1 Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,882 Points:445,645 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:08:51 AM Ignore dar 1 Report Abuse Maybe??? Someday?????
mark1962 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,721 Points:1,262,565 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:08:18 AM Ignore mark1962 Report Abuse Bad science I think
cucu Champion Author Florida Posts:20,593 Points:4,026,045 Joined:Jan 2002	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:05:56 AM Ignore cucu Report Abuse more dreams...
VB_Richard Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:1,643 Points:348,895 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:02:25 AM Ignore VB_Richard Report Abuse Once the door to innovation is open, you never know what will come through.
FMREALTOR Champion Author Florida Posts:6,390 Points:1,694,080 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:02:10 AM Ignore FMREALTOR Report Abuse I've seen a gas/hydrogen car conversion. Great stuff
joko0 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,955 Points:562,690 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:00:25 AM Ignore joko0 Report Abuse Cool
mickeymike Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,819 Points:592,945 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:56:46 AM Ignore mickeymike Report Abuse My Grandchildren might live to see that one!
mystic92 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,165 Points:314,245 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:56:31 AM Ignore mystic92 Report Abuse good idea but I see explosions in our future
jeff95519 Champion Author California Posts:2,437 Points:1,351,315 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:55:01 AM Ignore jeff95519 Report Abuse ya right
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:8,461 Points:1,738,005 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:52:20 AM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse Brilliant idea
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:8,281 Points:1,654,235 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:47:15 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse Progress in the hydrogen area for fuel.
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:6,996 Points:2,060,195 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:43:21 AM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse Sand and water for fuel, Wow, and I thought adding sand and water to the gas tank gummed up the works (just kidding, I know its a hydrogen engine). How hard is it to come up with a 10 nanometer diameter silicon particle and what happens to the 'spent particle?
stpetebp Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,206 Points:1,729,655 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:43:09 AM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse Their getting closer
AvantiMick Champion Author Indiana Posts:12,727 Points:2,539,620 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:42:50 AM Ignore AvantiMick Report Abuse Sounds interesting.
bart_reed Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,959 Points:782,705 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:38:28 AM Ignore bart_reed Report Abuse Looks like some progress.
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,307 Points:2,503,085 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:34:36 AM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse Interesting but I suspect it is a long way from a practical fuel for autos.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,936 Points:2,342,585 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:31:40 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Just Add Water: How Scientists Are Using Silicon to Produce Hydrogen On Demand? The reactive material has to be created at 10 nanometers in diameter for the best reactive efficiency, water has to be carried on the vehicle to initiate the reaction for hydrogen to be produced (like those carbide helmet lanters that drip water to produce acetylene and burn it for light) and will have to dump the used material and get a refill somewhere. Another pipe dream that will NEVER happen and will fade off into nothingness. A liquid fuel, high mpg vehicle will out perform any other method of propulsion for a vehicle. Vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII! - The Day After......
ovillaone All-Star Author Dallas Posts:770 Points:175,505 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:31:14 AM Ignore ovillaone Report Abuse keep working on it
billy44bo Champion Author Mobile Posts:7,193 Points:1,487,965 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:29:53 AM Ignore billy44bo Report Abuse And how are they going to keep the reaction going and keep it under control.
bobzilla11 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,191 Points:492,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:29:38 AM Ignore bobzilla11 Report Abuse cool
sparkie951 Champion Author Roanoke Posts:4,160 Points:848,810 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:28:35 AM Ignore sparkie951 Report Abuse Interesting... Now lets see what they can do with it in the real world.
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,798 Points:1,283,210 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:25:22 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse The lab is one thing but commercial viability is another.
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,843 Points:4,243,660 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:24:27 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse OK
bassakwards007 Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,117 Points:241,295 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:21:56 AM Ignore bassakwards007 Report Abuse Now if it just worked in real world situations
pfone1847 Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,171 Points:620,655 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:19:02 AM Ignore pfone1847 Report Abuse What will this cost?
twobroke61 Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,365 Points:1,586,335 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:16:33 AM Ignore twobroke61 Report Abuse have to wait and see where this one goes and what it costs
Gas_Eyes Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,662 Points:641,935 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:14:21 AM Ignore Gas_Eyes Report Abuse Hope that they can make it commercially viable.
jcdakota Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,347 Points:361,345 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:08:40 AM Ignore jcdakota Report Abuse How much energy, money, machinery, etc. does it take to make silicon into 10 nanometer spherical silicon particles?
BigDogOH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,488 Points:1,804,895 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:06:20 AM Ignore BigDogOH Report Abuse Better Than EVs
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,707 Points:1,658,865 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:02:57 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse This should prove quite interesting. I've conducted a few experiments of my own using water to make hydrogen, so, I know that various possibilities exist.
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:7,370 Points:1,682,570 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:02:12 AM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse Nice to see progress in this area of study...
Pozole Champion Author Portland Posts:9,579 Points:1,591,595 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:56:26 AM Ignore Pozole Report Abuse ...does this mean vehicles running on sand ?...
Z06KY Champion Author Louisville Posts:5,129 Points:902,790 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:54:18 AM Ignore Z06KY Report Abuse Interesting
rwrMO Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,546 Points:581,170 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:54:13 AM Ignore rwrMO Report Abuse Ok