Just add water: Army researchers discover quicker, safer way to use hydrogen as energy [View all]

http://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/08/20/just-add-water-army-researchers-discover-quicker-safer-way-to-use-hydrogen-as-energy/

Just add water: Army researchers discover quicker, safer way to use hydrogen as energy

By: Charlsy Panzino ?  16 hours ago

Researchers are hoping the discovery of a new energy source will shed troops of heavy batteries and allow them to complete their missions without having to resupply. Engineers and scientists at the Army Research Laboratory found a way for water to react with an aluminum alloy powder that produces hydrogen without any other catalysts in under three minutes. While the reaction and production of hydrogen isn’t new, the aluminum nanomaterial the researchers designed causes water to split apart — into two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule — when it comes in contact with the aluminum material.
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Normally, when aluminum is exposed to air, it forms an oxide layer that impedes the reaction that creates hydrogen, Giri said. The trick is to break that layer to keep the reaction going by adding an alkaline material such as sodium hydroxide. “Our material does not need any of those added catalysts,” Giri said. “Whenever we want to produce hydrogen, we can just add water to this powder.”

The hydrogen can be used in a fuel cell to potentially power equipment and vehicles and recharge devices, said Scott Grendahl, a materials engineer and team leader. “If we could generate power on each individual soldier … we would be far better off as a fighting force,” he said.
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