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    Scientists Built a Sunlight Reactor to Fuel the Future - The world needs a way to produce green hydrogen. Is this finally the solution?
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    Scientists Built a Sunlight Reactor to Fuel the Future – The world needs a way to produce green hydrogen. Is this finally the solution?

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    1. Gari_305 on

      From the article

      >Detailed in a new paper published in the journal [*Frontiers in Science*](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/science/articles/10.3389/fsci.2024.1411644/full), the researchers describe a proof-of-concept panel reactor built with a photocatalytic sheets that can split water using the power of [sunlight](https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a25953/big-bertha-breaks-through-seattle-tunnel/).

      Also from the article

      >“Sunlight-driven water splitting using photocatalysts is an ideal [technology](https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a62991034/immaculate-constellation-ufo-unit/) for solar-to-chemical energy conversion and storage,” Kazunari Domen, a senior author of the study from Shinshu University, [said in a press statement](https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1066051), “and recent developments in photocatalytic materials and systems raise hopes for its realization.”

      >Photocatalysts are materials that promote chemical reactions—in this case, splitting hydrogen and [oxygen](https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/deep-space/news/a21383/scientists-spot-the-most-distant-ever-oxygen-in-the-universe/). A one-step excitation system breaks apart the two elements, but the researchers say that this process is inefficient and delivers a low solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion rate. A two-step excitation process on the other hand, where one photocatalyst is dedicated to the evolution of each element, is much more efficient.

    2. Matshelge on

      Hydrogen is a pipedream. It’s nigh on impossible to store in the scale we want, and unless we figure out some massive jumps in material technology, we cannot fix this.

      All the places that are set up for gas and to transition into hydro are a scam. You cannot pipe hydrogen into the gas pipes, that would be dangerous beyond belife. Hydrogen burns without smell and without any visible color. Imagine what a hydrogen leak would in a house would be like?
      And hydrogens main ability is to leak, it’s the smallest atom in the universe, it will slip between almost any other structure built with atoms.

      However, if we can build pipes and valves with something smaller than atoms, we are off to the races.

    3. MissederE on

      “Designs also need to incorporate the safe handling of oxyhydrogen, which can be highly explosive.”
      Gosh, what a problem, highly explosive stuff; whatever could one do with that?

    5. initiali5ed on

      Great, another way to replace the hydrogen used by the chemical industry and decarbonise it.

    6. DaHairyKlingons on

      Whilst hydrogen on its on as a fuel is unrealistic (reasons in other posts) I had thought Ammonia (and/or other synthetic fuels) was being considered (as a transition fuel). However I believe this creates its own emission issues.

    7. IsNullOrEmptyTrue on

      Cool, perhaps we can use it to create hydrogen to burn and heat water into steam and spin a turbine. Or, just use a hydrogen cell to turn it back into water again and extract the power that was used to split it apart in the first place. /S

      Sounds like solar with extra steps.