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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:11,065 Points:1,948,730 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 8:07:49 AM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse check
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:7,078 Points:2,143,215 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 6:49:08 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Keep on pursuing ALL forms of alternative energy!
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,893 Points:618,470 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 28, 2013 5:21:06 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Alrighty then lets put it to use.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,686 Points:1,197,290 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:44:37 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.
ErnieK9LO Champion Author North Dakota Posts:2,811 Points:568,530 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 11:26:04 AM Ignore ErnieK9LO Report Abuse Cheap energy. just add water
ScottE Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,355 Points:2,217,915 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 11:03:20 AM 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:47,990 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 10:28:09 AM 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:9,336 Points:1,324,945 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 9:45:30 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:2,636 Points:486,145 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 9:00:29 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse Doesn't look like it's a very efficient to power an EV.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:35,301 Points:2,398,095 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 5:40:53 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse anyone remember the hindenburg ?
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,530 Points:1,295,885 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:45:40 AM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse ok
FogCitySpotter Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,615 Points:547,565 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:18:29 AM Ignore FogCitySpotter Report Abuse They will definitely find a way to tax it
Petrock Champion Author Lexington Posts:9,258 Points:2,584,485 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:18:22 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:2,163 Points:544,495 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:16:46 AM Ignore lsb1955 Report Abuse ok
TravelinMan52 Champion Author Augusta Posts:2,060 Points:990,370 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:12:56 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:5,395 Points:2,047,055 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:09:15 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:6,022 Points:452,445 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:08:51 AM Ignore dar 1 Report Abuse Maybe??? Someday?????
mark1962 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,871 Points:1,292,215 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:08:18 AM Ignore mark1962 Report Abuse Bad science I think
cucu Champion Author Florida Posts:20,743 Points:4,055,695 Joined:Jan 2002	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:05:56 AM Ignore cucu Report Abuse more dreams...
VB_Richard Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:1,793 Points:378,545 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:02:25 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:6,541 Points:1,723,730 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:02:10 AM Ignore FMREALTOR Report Abuse I've seen a gas/hydrogen car conversion. Great stuff
joko0 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,101 Points:591,365 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:00:25 AM Ignore joko0 Report Abuse Cool
mickeymike Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,994 Points:622,510 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:56:46 AM Ignore mickeymike Report Abuse My Grandchildren might live to see that one!
mystic92 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,315 Points:343,895 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:56:31 AM Ignore mystic92 Report Abuse good idea but I see explosions in our future
jeff95519 Champion Author California Posts:2,587 Points:1,380,965 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:55:01 AM Ignore jeff95519 Report Abuse ya right
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:8,611 Points:1,767,655 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:52:20 AM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse Brilliant idea
Beau2140 Champion Author New York Posts:8,431 Points:1,683,885 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:47:15 AM Ignore Beau2140 Report Abuse Progress in the hydrogen area for fuel.
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,148 Points:2,089,845 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:43:21 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:6,363 Points:1,759,305 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:43:09 AM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse Their getting closer
AvantiMick Champion Author Indiana Posts:12,875 Points:2,569,230 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:42:50 AM Ignore AvantiMick Report Abuse Sounds interesting.
bart_reed Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,110 Points:812,355 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:38:28 AM Ignore bart_reed Report Abuse Looks like some progress.
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,459 Points:2,530,585 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:34:36 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:33,579 Points:2,372,235 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:31:40 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:912 Points:204,255 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:31:14 AM Ignore ovillaone Report Abuse keep working on it
billy44bo Champion Author Mobile Posts:7,333 Points:1,516,490 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:29:53 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:1,308 Points:520,375 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:29:38 AM Ignore bobzilla11 Report Abuse cool
sparkie951 Champion Author Roanoke Posts:4,314 Points:876,960 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:28:35 AM Ignore sparkie951 Report Abuse Interesting... Now lets see what they can do with it in the real world.
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,978 Points:1,312,860 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:25:22 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse The lab is one thing but commercial viability is another.
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,989 Points:4,273,085 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:24:27 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse OK
bassakwards007 Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,266 Points:270,925 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:21:56 AM Ignore bassakwards007 Report Abuse Now if it just worked in real world situations
pfone1847 Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,321 Points:650,305 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:19:02 AM Ignore pfone1847 Report Abuse What will this cost?
twobroke61 Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,515 Points:1,615,985 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:16:33 AM Ignore twobroke61 Report Abuse have to wait and see where this one goes and what it costs
Gas_Eyes Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,812 Points:671,585 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:14:21 AM Ignore Gas_Eyes Report Abuse Hope that they can make it commercially viable.
jcdakota Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,427 Points:377,345 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:08:40 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:8,638 Points:1,834,545 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:06:20 AM Ignore BigDogOH Report Abuse Better Than EVs
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,861 Points:1,688,515 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:02:57 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:7,520 Points:1,712,220 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 3:02:12 AM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse Nice to see progress in this area of study...
Pozole Champion Author Portland Posts:9,760 Points:1,621,245 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 2:56:26 AM Ignore Pozole Report Abuse ...does this mean vehicles running on sand ?...
Z06KY Champion Author Louisville Posts:5,281 Points:932,440 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 2:54:18 AM Ignore Z06KY Report Abuse Interesting
rwrMO Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,546 Points:581,170 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 2:54:13 AM Ignore rwrMO Report Abuse Ok