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| A new hydrogen storing system using standard casting equipment could fast track the development of hydrogen cars.e |
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| Far left: Associate Professor Arne Dahle.
Left: Dr Kazuhiro Nogita, Division of Materials Engineering, the University of Queensland. |
Queensland researchers are leading the way in developing safe, cost-effective methods of storing fuel for hydrogen cars.
In his State of the Union Address in 2003, President George Bush pledged US $1.7 billion to move hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars from the laboratory to the highway within the next two decades.
Queensland is well placed to be part of this worldwide revolution in clean, green motoring with a unique hydrogen storage technology system developed by Associate Professor Arne Dahle and Dr Kazuhiro Nogita from the Division of Materials Engineering at the University of Queensland (UQ).
“Current hydrogen storage methods are expensive and suffer from performance disadvantages, but we’ve developed a range of magnesium alloys with the potential to overcome these problems,” Professor Dahle said.
“Using standard casting equipment, we’re able to produce nano-structured alloys that absorb hydrogen like a sponge, store it safely for long periods and release it on demand when either the pressure or temperature is varied. These alloys can store enough hydrogen to allow a vehicle carrying a 100kg storage unit to drive 500 kilometres, which is similar to the current petrol-based systems,” he said.
UQ’s commercialisation arm UniQuest has established the company Hydrexia Pty Ltd to commercialise the hydrogen storage technology. UniQuest Managing Director David Henderson said Hydrexia’s researchers now need to demonstrate this storage capacity can be achieved in a full-scale prototype at acceptable hydrogen release temperatures.
“If the scale-up is successful, Hydrexia will be in a position to deliver the most commercially attractive hydrogen storage solution for a range of applications including automotive, stationary and portable fuel-cells,” Mr Henderson said.
Earlier this year, Hydrexia received a Queensland Government Innovation Start-up Scheme (ISUS) grant to progress the performance testing and commence business planning, while last month it was awarded a grant from the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency’s Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund (QSEIF).
QSEIF supports Queensland organisations to develop innovative technologies that reduce environmental impacts resulting from energy and water consumption. Applications for the latest funding round close on October 7.
Last reviewed 19 January 2006