Japanese claim breakthrough in hydrogen storage technology

Researchers in Japan say they have formulated a new metal hydride compound using aluminum. They are touting its light weight, absence of toxicity and absence of volatile gases among its desirable traits as a practical fuel source for commercial use, though they admit that its hydrogen content is low.

The worldwide quest for a safe and practical way to store hydrogen for use as an on-board fuel in commercial vehicles has been on for many years. The US Department of Energy called it one of the most “technically challenging” barriers to widespread adoption of hydrogen-fueled vehicles. In 2003 the DOE launched its National Hydrogen Storage Project and issued a “grand challenge” to the world’s scientists and engineers to develop a hydrogen storage method. The methods to be explored included metal hydrides, chemical storage methods, and carbon-based materials.

aluminum-hydrite-research-hydrogen-fuel-cell-storage-Japan-EDIWeekly
Schematic of the aluminum alloy infused with hydrogen (blue dots). Japanese researchers claim it is the first simple-structure interstitial aluminum alloy, and that it has potential for hydrogen storage.

The major downside of current storage technology is that not enough hydrogen can be stored to be really useful as a fuel. Metal hydrides are seen as having potential for hydrogen storage because of their ability to concentrate the gas in solid form. The gas is forced to permeate the spaces, or interstices, between the metal’s own atoms. However, in current research, the ratio of hydrogen to the total weight of the metal used to store it is not better than 2–3 per cent. The current goal is to achieve a minimum of 9 per cent hydrogen content by weight by 2015.

Where the Japanese researchers say they have achieved a breakthrough is in the creation of a simple-structured interstitial aluminum alloy. Previously only complex aluminum hydrides had been created. However, the conditions for synthesizing the aluminum-based hydride are described by the scientists as “extreme.” Synthesis of the compound required a temperature of 800 degrees Celsius at a pressure of 10 gigapascals (1450377.3773 psi).

Nevertheless, they believe that the result is promising and that their compound will show properties that are different from those of other compounds that have previously been created, making it suitable for “practical applications.”

Toyota, meanwhile, has just announced that it will unveil a new hydrogen-fueled car at the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens on November 22. The Toyota FCV hydrogen car uses a fuel-cell stack that draws hydrogen from high pressure storage tanks. They hold enough of the gas to drive the car 520 kilometres.

 

For information about all essential components for industry, visit Daemar.

Did you miss this?

Other Popular Stories

  • Bombardier Challenger 350 set to fly with NetJets
  • Ford reveals C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car
  • Fully solar powered vehicle: an RV that runs without fuel or charging stations?
  • Petronas defers final investment decision on BC LNG project
  • Andritz to manufacture stator coils for NA hydropower market in Peterborough
  • Bombardier upbeat about growth prospects now that CSeries jets are flying
  • Overheated bearings, gearboxes among causes of wind turbine fires
  • Renault's autonomous float hover car by Yunchen Chai may be the automobile of the future — winner of a design competition from Renault
  • Ontario invests $488,250 to create new jobs in Subdbury and expand research in mining.
  • Nissan sales surpass 100,000 for first time in Canada
  • China to totally ban gas and diesel in new car market; with interim targets of 20% electric or hybrid by 2025
  • 2021 Trends in Engineered Design and Engineering — Trending Technologies
  • Renewables will surpass natural gas, nuclear by 2016: IEA
  • Ontario vs Canada: Ontario challenges the Federal Carbon Tax in court; a threat to manufacturing and jobs, they say
  • Robots, 3D printing to revolutionize building industry unchanged for 5000 years
  • CFB Goose Bay awards $100 million service contract to Serco
  • Global car sales will set new record in 2014: Scotiabank
  • Drivers want hydrogen-fueled cars says Hyundai
  • Canadian work in composite materials honoured with innovation awards
  • Pros and Cons of EDM: What is electrical discharge machining, and how does it work?
Scroll to Top