It's easy to feel like the world's energy problems are too big to solve without some billion-dollar machine that looks like it's from a sci-fi movie. That's what makes a recent discovery so incredible. The solution isn't some newly invented futuristic metal; it's clay.
That's right, just plain, natural clay. According to Interesting Engineering, a team of researchers at Kumamoto University in Japan has made a clever discovery. They figured out how to use this common material to create a vital component for hydrogen fuel cells.
This is a huge deal because hydrogen is a powerful fuel that produces only water when used, but making it efficient and safe has been a major challenge for a long time.
The big problem, which has stumped scientists for years, was heat. As reported by Fuel Cells Works, traditional fuel cells require operating at scorching temperatures, over 900 degrees, which is impractical for applications like cars. But the team in Japan, led by assistant professor Kazuto Hatakeyama and professor Shintaro Ida, created a flexible membrane from the clay that is a total game changer. It works perfectly in the freezing cold and in intense heat.
Here's how it works, and it's pretty brilliant. Think of a clay membrane as the perfect bouncer at a club. It lets the good stuff (protons) pass through to create electricity, but it's more than 100 times better at stopping troublemakers (leaking hydrogen gas) than the current bouncer, a material called Nafion. That's not just an efficiency boost; it's a massive safety upgrade.
This isn't some isolated flash of genius, either. It feels like we're in the middle of a clean energy renaissance.
Find the best HVAC solution to heat and cool your home more efficiently Mitsubishi Electric’s efficient heating and cooling HVAC solutions can help you stay comfortable no matter the weather or region. You can even regulate temperatures in each room with individually controlled all-electric heat pump systems. With an energy-efficient, all-climate system from Mitsubishi, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home, receive up to $2,000 in tax credits, and get peace of mind knowing you’re choosing rigorously tested, high-quality products. |
Scientists recently made progress with nuclear fusion, the "holy grail" of energy that could produce almost 4 million times more power than coal, by getting reactions to work in a small, room-temperature device. Another research team found a way to make their solar generators 15 times more powerful using a special black metal. Other experts are making breakthroughs in creating affordable green hydrogen on a huge scale, which could completely transform the energy market.
All this high-tech research is exciting, but it also points back to the smart energy choices we can make at home to save money.
Installing solar panels is the ultimate home energy hack because it can bring your cost of energy down to or near $0. EnergySage provides a free service that makes it easy to compare quotes from vetted local installers and can help you save up to $10,000 on solar installations. Going solar also makes using other money-saving electric appliances, like heat pumps, even cheaper to run. Mitsubishi can help you find the right affordable heat pump for your home.
Sometimes solutions for a cleaner future are much closer than we think. Who knows? Maybe we've been standing on the answer all along. As Ida noted, per IE: "This is a major step toward sustainable, high-performance fuel cells that don't rely on expensive or environmentally burdensome materials."
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
|
Should the government provide incentives to buy EVs?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Absolutely 💯 
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
