Study points to cheap hydrogen fuel
06 Jan 2011
Low-cost, clean hydrogen fuel could be a step closer, thanks to a discovery by University of Edinburgh scientists
Researchers have uncovered key details about chemical catalysts that use light to break apart water molecules, splitting them into hydrogen - for use as fuel - and oxygen.
The findings will help researchers design efficient photocatalysts that can operate at a range of temperatures, making the production of hydrogen fuel from water cheaper and easier to control.
Clean power: Hydrogen fuel cells work by burning hydrogen to give off heat, which can be converted into energy to power engines.
The process creates water as an end product, making it a clean way to produce energy.
Structural analysis: Researchers made their discovery by bombarding photocatalyst materials with tiny neutron and electron particles.
