$2.5m NSF grant to convert Solar into Hydrogen Fuel

Post date: Sep 18, 2009 9:21:8 AM

Texas: Sun to Hy-Fuel

The University of Texas at Austin have received about $2.5 million

to identify new materials that will efficiently absorb sunlight and

split water (H2O) into clean hydrogen fuel, which could power cars

and be used to generate electricity.

Electrochemistry Profs Mullins BARD and Math Prof GambaChemical engineering Professor Charles Mullins, chemistry Professor

Allen Bard and mathematics Professor Irene M. Gamba will collaborate

on the endeavor, which encompasses two grants from the National

Science Foundation ($1.4 million) and the U.S. Department of Energy

(about $1.1 million). Bard and Mullins are affiliated with the Center

for Electrochemistry at the university

You may also read this: Farm of the Future, Hydrogen from Cow Urine

A fuel cell, urine-powered vehicle could theoretically travel 90 miles per gallon.

A refrigerator-sized unit could produce one kilowatt of energy for about $5,000, although this price

is a rough estimate, says Botte. "The waste products from say a chicken farm could be used to

produce the energy needed to run the farm," said John Stickney, a chemist and professor at the

University of Georgia. For livestock farmers who are required by law to pool their animals' waste,

large scale prototypes could turn that urine into power within six months.