Cheap source of energy: Cell splits water via sunlight to produce hydrogen

[StubleU]

The group is developing novel methodologies for synthesis of nanostructured films with superior opto-electronic properties. One of the methods, which sandwiches three semiconductor films into a compact structure on the nanoscale range, is smaller, more efficient and more stable than present photocatalytic methods, which require multiple steps and can take from several hours to a day to complete.

The discovery provides a new, low-cost and efficient option for hydrogen production and can be used for a variety of distributed energy applications.

Pratim Biswas, Ph.D., the Stifel and Quinette Jens Professor and Chair of the Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, and his graduate student Elijah Thimsen, recently have developed the well-controlled, gas phase process, and have demonstrated it for synthesizing a variety of oxide semiconductors such as iron and titanium dioxide films in a single step process. It is based on a simple, inexpensive flame aerosol reactor (FLAR) and consists of four mass flow controllers to regulate process gases, a standard bubbler to deliver a precursor, a metal tube that acts as a burner and a water-cooled substrate holder.

"We put these films in water and they promote some reactions that split water into hydrogen and oxygen," said Biswas. "We can use any oxide materials such as titanium dioxide, tungsten oxide and iron oxide in nanostructures sandwiched together that make very compact structures. The process is direct and takes only a few minutes to fabricate. More important, these processes can be scaled up to produce larger structures in a very cost effective manner in atmospheric pressure processes."

Collaborations have now been established with Dewey Holten, Ph.D., Washington University professor of chemistry in Arts & Sciences, to better understand the electron-hole pair kinetics, information that can then be used to tune the synthesis process. Other collaborations with Robert Blankenship, Ph.D., Washington University professor of biology and chemistry in Arts & Sciences, are being explored to create hybrid bio-nanostructures that will improve the light absorption efficiencies over a broader range of wavelengths. Electrospray and other aerosol techniques are being used to create these hybrid films.

The method was described in a recent issue of SPIE, a publication of the International Society for Optical Engineering.

The research is among the first wave of news out of the new Washington University Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, which performs research on energy and environment, including alternative fuels and energy sources, air quality research, nanoparticle technology and particle emission control, among other topics.

Some of the department faculty — 14 members now, expected to double in five to ten years — are active in the University's ambitious BioEnergy Initiative, which is focused on the development of technologies for the production of next generation biofuels. The adoption of a systems approach will not only enable development processes for large volume production of liquid fuels from plant-based sources, but also at a low cost, and most importantly, in an environmentally benign manner — not only during the production, but also during the actual usage.

[The Voice]

Yet another reason to establish a launch pad on the Moon. We've already had the technology to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water, which the Moon has plenty of (in the form of ice). If this process can be accomplished using sunlight, that's better still.

With the Moon's negligible gravity, it would be a waste not to use it as a stepping-stone to the rest of our abundant Solar System.

It's unfortunate that today's Americans aren't nearly as enthusiastic about exploration as those who forged this country were.

[Red Venus Moon]

Originally Posted by The Voice

Yet another reason to establish a launch pad on the Moon. We've already had the technology to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water, which the Moon has plenty of (in the form of ice). If this process can be accomplished using sunlight, that's better still.

With the Moon's negligible gravity, it would be a waste not to use it as a stepping-stone to the rest of our abundant Solar System.

It's unfortunate that today's Americans aren't nearly as enthusiastic about exploration as those who forged this country were.

Well, we need to do something. We are all running out of natural resources because we are polluting the hell out of the earth. Let's go to the moon and go ahead with some esperiments and move forward with science. Science has been so stagnant for the last 2 decades here in the USA. In science is where we are going to find some of out answers and solutions to energy, pollution, and diseases.

[The Voice]

Originally Posted by Red Venus Moon

Well, we need to do something. We are all running out of natural resources because we are polluting the hell out of the earth. Let's go to the moon and go ahead with some esperiments and move forward with science. Science has been so stagnant for the last 2 decades here in the USA. In science is where we are going to find some of out answers and solutions to energy, pollution, and diseases.

I agree.

I would also like to point out that I think space exploration would immensely improve our image in the eyes of the world.

When we were going to the Moon and sending Voyager probes into the Solar System, we were seen as a nation dedicated to the advancement of mankind.

Now a short time later, we're veiwed as a country full of gluttons, resting on the laurels of our "superior" technology ... amusing ourselves with an endless variety of electronic trinkets.

We desperately need to recapture that adventurous spirit, and rekindle the imagination of the world.

[Allen]

Eh... Voice, wouldn't transporting the hydrogen back to earth cost waaaay too much?

What's wrong with splitting water molecules we have here on earth?


Wtf... it's great they discovered this but what is being done to implement it into the mainstream?

We are not running out of all of our natural resources.

Just oil.. really.

Who needs that sh!t anyway when you have biofuels?

[The Voice]

Originally Posted by Allen

Eh... Voice, wouldn't transporting the hydrogen back to earth cost waaaay too much?

What's wrong with splitting water molecules we have here on earth?

I never said we should transport it back to Earth. We have plenty of water for that right here ... for now at least.

When I suggested using the ice already on the Moon as rocket fuel, I didn't mean sending those rockets to Earth.

[Red Venus Moon]

Originally Posted by Allen

Eh... Voice, wouldn't transporting the hydrogen back to earth cost waaaay too much?

What's wrong with splitting water molecules we have here on earth?


Wtf... it's great they discovered this but what is being done to implement it into the mainstream?

We are not running out of all of our natural resources.

Just oil.. really.

Who needs that sh!t anyway when you have biofuels?

No it would not cost too much...they are in the process or at least WAS in the process of making a "stairway to Heaven" oopss...I meant a elavator to space...please see wikepedia's explanation of it...I'll try to find you all a picture too I read this in Time magazine about 5-10 years ago..I think

space elevator is a proposed structure designed to transport material from a celestial body's surface into space. Many different types of space elevators have been suggested. They all share the goal of replacing rocket propulsion with the traversal of a fixed structure via a mechanism not unlike an elevator in order to move material into or beyond orbit. Space elevators have also sometimes been referred to as beanstalks, space bridges, space lifts, space ladders, skyhooks or orbital towers.
The most common proposal is a tether, usually in the form of a cable or ribbon, spanning from the surface to a point beyond geosynchronous orbit. As the planet rotates, the inertia at the end of the tether counteracts gravity, and also keeps the cable taut. Vehicles can then climb the tether and escape the planet's gravity without the use of rocket propulsion. Such a structure could theoretically permit delivery of cargo and people to orbit with transportation costs a fraction of those of more traditional methods of launching a payload into orbit.
Recent proposals for a space elevator are notable in their plans to incorporate carbon nanotubes into the tether design, thus providing a link between space exploration and nanotechnology.

Go Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:S...al_diagram.svg
to see the picture. The are basically gonna just use the hell out of Nanotechnology, which we should. We haven't done a lot with that yet

[Allen]

Yeah.. there was something like that on disovery.

Using carbon fiber cable to.. like have a needle tower in space.

[Red Venus Moon]

Originally Posted by Allen

Yeah.. there was something like that on disovery.

Using carbon fiber cable to.. like have a needle tower in space.

I had to find this thread this song now

http://www.*******.com/watch?v=yaQCirSxnvg

Stair way to heaven LMAOoooo with Jimmy Paige


But seriously, I think it would be a great idea. This is what Nasa had to say about launching a spaceshuttle:

Q. How much does the Space Shuttle cost?
A. The Space Shuttle Endeavour, the orbiter built to replace the Space Shuttle Challenger, cost approximately $1.7 billion.
Q. How much does it cost to launch a Space Shuttle?
A. The average cost to launch a Space Shuttle is about $450 million per mission.


Holy crap that is a lot of money...surely we could maintain a big elevator for less money

[Allen]

Yeah.... 1.7 billion...

I am Christian so I believe exploring space is a waste of time for the most not all part.

There are so many more problems here on earth would could fix with the money nasa spends.