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Hydrogen - The Fuel of the Future
Contents
Global environmental protection, specifically in regard to the eneration of greenhouse gases, continues to be a critical concern, with increasing evidence showing our environment is under threat.
While Australia is considered the cleanest populated continent, we cannot afford complacency. Australia's proximity to the ozone layer makes it especially vulnerable to the effects of global warming. The prospect of rising sea water levels also poses a risk to the Australian which population predominantly is collected around our coastline.
Australia's environmental track record does not place it in a promising position for effectively managing environmental protection for the future. Australia's emissions of carbon dioxide through use of fossil fuels are increasing at one of the greatest rates worldwide. While attempts have been made to address the issue of greenhouse gases through protecting and planting new trees, these efforts are negated while we continue to increase carbon dioxide emissions.
The reality is that there is an urgent need to develop means of production of a fuel that does not cause pollution and is generated using renewable energy. Australia now faces the challenge of developing accessible, sustainable and environmentally safe fuel.
That fuel is hydrogen. The race has started for the development of this technology - and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is at the forefront in making hydrogen available as the fuel for the future.
Hydrogen - the Fuel of the Future
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Photo electro-chemical hydrogen generation and related utilization |
The concept of hydrogen generation using solar energy is based on the splitting of the water molecule using solar energy, so producing hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen generated from water results in fuel that is 100% environmentally friendly. Development of this technology will result in the first sustainable fuel for the future.
There is a growing consensus that hydrogen will replace fossil fuels for the production of energy within the next 10-15 years. Hydrogen is seen to have the potential to have a major impact on the global energy scenario, the environment and the energy security of all countries.
Substantial seed funding has been allocated to research and development for basic hydrogen technology in the United States of America, Japan, and Europe. It can be predicted that the countries with access to advanced hydrogen technologies will have a distinct advantage in all areas of industry and commerce.
In Australia, UNSW is at the forefront of hydrogen fuel development through work conducted at the Centre for Materials Research in Energy Conversion. Much needed funding and support are required to realise the goals of the creation of a truly sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel.
The Centre's primary role is to initiate technology to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases through the development of novel materials and devices required for environmental monitoring and the generation of environmentally friendly fuel (such as hydrogen).
The Centre currently is focused on the development of novel materials required for the following two technologies:
| Photo-Electrochemical Hydrogen Generation using Solar Energy |
Chemical Gas Sensors for Environmental Monitoring |
The Centre is capable of developing new materials and devices for a range of technological applications.
R&D - Photo-Electrochemical Hydrogen Generation using Solar Energy
The Centre is involved in research and development in the science and technology of photo-electrochemical hydrogen generation through photo-assisted water decomposition.
To develop this technology, novel materials that exhibit specific properties such as an efficient photo-electrodes for water decomposition, into hydrogen and oxygen, are needed. These materials as well as the devices for hydrogen generation are being developed at UNSW.
Expected outcomes of the Centre's work include:
Materials technologies for photo-electrodes for water decomposition
R&D - Chemical Gas Sensors for Environmental Monitoring
The need to reduce pollution and, specifically, the emission of greenhouse gases is clear. However, assessment of the measures applied to reduce pollution requires modern tools that may be applied for environmental monitoring.
The Centre is conducting a program on the development of Chemical Gas Sensors based on solid-state technology. These modern sensors will allow continuous monitoring several gases responsible for pollution, such as C02, SOx, and NOx. Sensors for CO, H2, hydrocarbons, ozone and humidity are also being developed.
The program also includes construction of multi-gas sensors able to generate sensing signals for several gases within one sensing unit as well as miniature sensors (up to several mm size), which can be incorporated in existing electronic devices, such as mobile phones, and which are able to assess the gas composition is small spaces.
These sensing devices may be used for monitoring different pollution gases in the following applications:
Power plant exhaust systems |
Automotive exhaust system |
Urban areas |
Industrial areas |
Technology lines |
Benefits
Business Advantage through Pioneering R&D
Through joining the Centre for Materials Research in Energy Conversion in its R&D program, organisations have the opportunity to invest in technology that will change the way that energy is produced and used around the world.
The technology created for hydrogen fuel production and environmental gas monitoring has broad-reaching applications in both the domestic and industrial markets, providing investors with the potential for high-level return with relatively low investment.
Marketing and Exposure
Association with UNSW's Centre for Materials Research in Energy Conversion provides unique business and marketing opportunities. Supporters of the Centre will be perceived by industry and the marketplace as leaders in the development of a sustainable energy source and environmentally friendly technology.
The University is recognised for its ability to build and cement successful relationships - as stated in a recent Business Review Weekly corporate survey - UNSW "retains the traditional values of
a university while moving ahead in partnership with business. It is considered the most forward-looking University in Australia".
UNSW also can assist in leveraging advantage for its partners by facilitating connections and business relationships between its partners in government, industry and commerce. Such an
approach has enabled UNSW to develop a variety of income streams and partnerships to support the University. Simply, we take a business approach to managing the University.
Higher Degree and Career Development
The Centre is offering unique career opportunities through research programs oriented toward M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the areas of materials and devices for a sustainable environment.
Access to an International Network
The R&D activities of the Centre are being performed within the Australia-Korea-Japan Network on Materials for a Sustainable Environment (formalised in 1999). The interdisciplinary Network includes:
The Centre for Materials Research in Energy Conversion acts as the coordinator of the Network. The Network represents the critical mass of expertise and infrastructure required for solving the most difficult basic and applied problems in the areas of materials and devices for energy conversion, such as electrodes, solid electrolytes, and electrochemical devices, including photo-electrochemical converters and chemical gas sensors.
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