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Hybrid solar system makes rooftop hydrogen

Duke University engineer Nico Hotz proposes a hybrid system that uses sunlight to heat water and methanol, producing hydrogen more efficiently than current technology. The resulting hydrogen can be stored and used as fuel, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels.

MIT: Teaching algae to make fuel

Researchers have developed a method to boost algal hydrogen production by 400% using bioengineered proteins, demonstrating the competition between sugar and hydrogen production in algae. This discovery paves the way for large-scale hydrogen fuel manufacturing using water and sunlight.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2011

Scientists find new way to produce hydrogen

Researchers at Penn State University have discovered a way to produce hydrogen by exposing aluminum clusters to water, leveraging their unique geometric structures. The process enables the production of hydrogen gas without heat or energy input, opening up new possibilities for clean energy applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateJan 22, 2009

Our microbes, ourselves

Researchers found significant differences in microbial composition among obese patients, gastric bypass surgery subjects, and normal-weight individuals. The study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a key role in energy harvesting, making people more susceptible to obesity.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2009

Closing the hydrogen economic loop

Ovshinsky explains that we have the means to produce hydrogen from renewable resources in a sustainable way and store it effectively. This technology enables the entire loop of hydrogen generation, storage, and use to be carried out now.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nuclear Hydrogen Production and Applications·DateJul 21, 2008

A promising step towards more effective hydrogen storage

A team of international researchers led by Professor Rajeev Ahuja has discovered an atomic-level mechanism for releasing hydrogen from magnesium nanoparticles, which could lead to more efficient hydrogen storage. The finding opens up new possibilities for fuel cells using hydrogen as a clean and environmentally friendly energy source.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 16, 2008

Solar cell directly splits water for hydrogen

Researchers at Penn State have developed a proof-of-concept device that can split water and produce recoverable hydrogen using sunlight. The system, which uses a catalyst complex to mimic natural photosynthesis, achieves an efficiency of about 0.3 percent but holds promise for future improvements.

Generating hydrogen from biodiesel waste

A new method to convert low-value glycerol from biodiesel production into a hydrogen-rich gas offers a promising solution for the transportation sector. The process, developed by Dr. Valerie Dupont and her team at the University of Leeds, produces a high-value product in demand for fertilisers, food production, and chemical plants.

Penn State leads DOE consortium on hydrogen energy research

Researchers at Penn State are investigating thermochemical hydrogen production using advanced nuclear energy systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy independence. The three-year, $2.4 million program aims to develop efficient technologies for hydrogen production compatible with nuclear-generated heat sources.

Clean, carbon-neutral hydrogen on the horizon

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to convert cellulose and other biodegradable organic materials into hydrogen using microbial fuel cells. This process produces 288% more energy in hydrogen than the electrical energy added to it, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2007