Oxford-based Cella Energy has agreed a deal NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to jointly research and develop its hydrogen bead technology in the hope that some day it might be practical enough to fuel most kinds of machinery, cars and perhaps even spacesuits and portable electronics.
Cella Energy, which also has a US subsidiary, has developed a way of storing hydrogen in tiny beads, which make it easier to store and transport. These nanobeads allow hydrogen to be stored as a liquid fuel without the need for very low temperatures.
But the company still has some technological hurdles to overcome before it realistically market its unique method of hydrogen storage. By working with NASA scientists, well versed in handling large amounts of highly explosive gas as part of their rocket work, it is hoped that the company can develop the technology into a practical solution for fuel cell vehicles. Who knows, it may even be used to help those same rockets head for the stars.
Robert Hubbard, Partnership Development manager at Kennedy thinks that Cella’s Energy holds great potential. "In tests, the hydrogen is stored in its rawest form, encased by the company’s hydrogen storage materials, has proven to be quite stable," he said.
"If the company is able to successfully get this product to market, I think we are going to see a lot of changes within the hydrogen storage and fuel cell industries to utilise more safe and easily adaptable technologies" Hubbard added.
The eventual goal is to use these beads in fuel cell engines, which combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity. Again, the technology is something Kennedy Space Center is comfortable with since fuel cells have been used in Apollo spacecraft and space shuttles.
"If the company is able to successfully get this product to market, I think we are going to see a lot of changes within the hydrogen storage and fuel cell industries to utilize more safe and easily adaptable technologies" Hubbard said.
Cella’s contract with NASA, called a Space Act Agreement, runs five years and with room to be extended.
Source:
thegreencarwebsite.co.uk
