January 2, 2018

A collaborative effort of researchers with New Jersey Institute of Technology, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Colorado School of Mines and San Diego State University resulted in the invention of a quantum dot photoelectrochemical cell that catalytically achieved quantum efficiency for hydrogen gas production exceeding 100% efficiency. Essentially, the device is able to absorb one visible solar photon and produce two or more electrons in a process known as multiple exciton generation.

While the breakthrough with respect to quantum yield does not yet equate to a substantial increase in the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency, it is an important development in that direction.

January 2, 2018

Researchers at Kyushu University have invented a ruthenium-driven device able to use a broad spectrum of light, including ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared light beyond visible red light. As a result, it nearly doubles the amount of solar photons harvested and the production of hydrogen is accelerated.

January 2, 2018

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a photocatalyst for producing hydrogen from water using inexpensive graphitic carbon nitride and black phosphorus in lieu of expensive metals. Of particular interest is that it works with different wavelengths of light, even low-energy, near infrared.

January 2, 2018

The European Marine Energy Centre, LTD has produced hydrogen gas using electricity generated from tidal energy in Orkney, a first anywhere in the world.

January 2, 2018

Hypersolar, Inc. has announced a patented nanoparticle solar hydrogen technology is designed to systematically produce hydrogen at the most cost-efficient rate possible. The goal for the GEN 2 system is $2.90 per Kg. While a high performance prototype has not been produced, significant progress has been made, including a proprietary high-efficiency nanoparticle solar absorber design, oxygen catalyst, protective coating, low-cost manufacturing process, and an efficient panel design for safely separating hydrogen from oxygen. The process works on a roll-to-roll inexpensive wet chemistry process.

Currently most hydrogen is produced using natural gas reforming. Since natural gas is a (finite) fossil fuel, reforming is not possible on a permanent, large scale basis.

December 29, 2017

Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, and at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have found that a newly developed compound, synthetic molybdenum-sulphide, acts as a semi-conductor and catalyses the splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. They discovered that mixing the compound with titanium oxide particles leads to a sunlight-absorbing paint that produces hydrogen fuel from solar energy and moist air. As titanium oxide is a white pigment commonly used in wall paint, the simple addition of the new compound could convert a brick wall into a hydrogen generator. Notably, any location with water vapor in the air, even far from shore, can produce hydrogen; alternatively, the system works in very dry but hot climates near oceans. The sea water evaporated into vapor would be absorbed to produce hydrogen.

December 28, 2017

A systematic comparison of hydrogen production from fossil fuels, biomass resources and electrolysis has been jointly prepared by scientists from the North China Electric Power University (Beijing), Queen’s University (Belfast), and the College of Engineering Roorkee (India). The four pathways to hydrogen production considered in this research are:

• Steam reforming without carbon capture and storage (CCS)
• Steam reforming with CCS
• Biomass gasification
• Electrolysis

Biomass pyrolysis was excluded because it is currently being studied in a small-scale test plant. As a result, the available data of expected yields is limited and a set of chemical processes and infrastructure is required for pyrolysis on a large scale.