This Solar-Powered Device Creates Hydrogen Fuel From Humidity

Researchers have developed a solar-powered device that pulls the humidity or moisture in the air and converts it into hydrogen fuel, a type of clean energy source.

The prototype, according to its creators, can function in the air with a relative humidity of just 4% and can produce hydrogen that is purer than 99 percent. According to the inventors, the device would enable carbon-free hydrogen production even in areas with limited access to fresh water from the ground.

Zero-Carbon Fuel: Hydrogen

When hydrogen is burned, it produces only water as a byproduct, making it a zero-carbon fuel. However, it takes energy to produce pure hydrogen, which is scarce in nature. Fossil fuels that produce carbon emissions are frequently used in large-scale production.

Dr. Gang Kevin Li, the study's lead author, suggested that the hydrogen-generating apparatus might be run on wind or solar power. Li is also a senior lecturer in chemical engineering at the University of Melbourne.

Solar-Powered

In a trial that was carefully observed, a prototype unit was able to produce hydrogen for over 12 days straight. One of the devices, according to Li, was left running unattended for eight months.

The device is made of a pliable material and a hygroscopic liquid, which functions similarly to silica gel sachets by absorbing moisture from the surrounding atmosphere. Electrolysis is the process of separating the water molecules that have been absorbed into oxygen and hydrogen at electrodes.

Clean Energy

Li emphasized that, as long as renewable energy sources are available to electrolyze the water, hydrogen is the purest form of clean energy.

According to estimates, the device can generate up to 93 liters of hydrogen per square meter per hour. Li claimed that this unit's 10 square meters could power an entire home. This can take the place of using natural gas in the home for heating and cooking.

The prototypes are still quite small, but the team intends to build units measuring 1 square meter and 10 square meters in the upcoming year.

The device, according to the researchers, might be helpful in areas where it is difficult to produce hydrogen from liquid water. Li claimed that there are water scarcity issues in many parts of the world. There may not always be enough fresh water available for this method of hydrogen production in societies that rely heavily on renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.

Not Enough?

Dr. Kim Beasy, from the Victorian Hydrogen Hub at Swinburne University, said that while crucial, hydrogen fuel was not a magic solution to achieve net zero. She added that one of the puzzle pieces would be hydrogen. Beasy was not involved in the study.

Beasy said further that it will offer a way out of some very difficult-to-mitigate industries, like transportation. Currently, there is no substitute for diesel, so hydrogen represents a really good alternative.

Beasy said that given the high cost of traditional hydrogen electrolyzers, it was likely that the necessary economies of scale would not be attained with clean hydrogen right away. Beasy also pointed out the need for additional government funding and subsidies to lower the cost of implementing this technology, The Guardian reports.