The Bumpy Pathway to an Energy Breakthrough

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Keep your eyes on Penn State University. Their research - using bacteria to obtain hydrogen from organic sources - could solve many of the problems surrounding hydrogen production.

Linda of MO 8:02AM June 11, 2008

While we dither in confusion on an energy policy, the French have solved their energy problem. We should improve and build on their example:
a) Build PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), to revitalize Detroit's obsolete vehicle technology. If Toyota and Honda can do it, then so should Detroit. With nuclear reactors producing electricity, this would eliminate oil imports.
b) Build advanced technology nuclear reactors, to produce electricity and synthetic fuels. If the French, South Africans, British, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, South Koreans, Taiwanese, Indians, Jordanians, Egyptians, Saudi Arabians, Iranians, Lybyans, Moroccans, and Pakistanis can do it, then so can the U. S.
c) Nuclear technology is its infancy. In addition to the French advanced pressurized water reactors, and the South African pebbel bed reactors, there is thorium - uranium hybrids (fuel for 600-1000 years), acceleratior-driven micro-fission nuclear reactors for homes and small industrial facilities, etc. The French have offered to re-process our fuel for free, if we feel we are not up to the task.
d) There is a host of small, high-tech companies in the U. S. with these ideas, yet they recieve no sponsorship, funding or investment. Wall Street only believes in the FIRE (finance, insurance, real estate) economy, and will not invest in manufacturing or high tech. Ditto for our political 'leaders'.
e) The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) currently only has regulatory experience in Gen I reactors, since we did not build Gen II and Gen III. We should either allow European certified Gen III reactors, use French inspectors, or get off our duff and train our own 'inspectors' overseas.
f) The 'Zulus' went in two generations from using bull hide shields and Assagai spears, to building advanced technology nuclear reactors, training other Southern Africa technicians in operating same, and selling advanced nuclear technology throughout the African continent.
So wake up America, and get off of you 'duff'! This country is in a spate of yakity yak, political paralysis, and doing nothing. We did 'solve' War War II, the Cold War, and going to the moon. Now we do nothing except borrow from other countries, and use their oil, since we are unwilling to driil for our own. Whatever happened to the idea that "self-reliance is next to Godliness"?
Regards, Art Collins, Retired Aerospace and Nuclear Engineer

Arthur Collins of CA 4:07PM June 09, 2008

How many of you have actually tried instead of naysaying that Hydrogen cannot be created economically from water? It can be done and many are doing so. I have to laugh at all those who are so quick to say it cannot be done when for the last 8 years I have been using it as a fuel, and yes it is done through electrolysis, to operate my 1994 Lexus GS400. I also have been using the same method to power a 100kw diesel generator. You will not find any videos on YouTube of my process as that only cheapens the technology. It is now coming out on the markt starting in the US and Canada. What does it cost to operate? For the power generation we can power up to a 50MW system for less than what you would spend for a pack of gum. The cost of the car is far less and all is documented. Laugh and say what you want but it is reality. Oh, we do NOT use any fossil fuels in our process at all. True zero emmissions and true green power.

Dr. Patrick Hayes Ph.D. 4:36PM May 21, 2008

"Researchers at Penn State University say they've developed a way to use bacteria to extract hydrogen from almost any biodegradable organic substance, from grass clippings to wastewater." -
http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2007/11/hydrogen_bacteria

Nikola of 10:02AM March 08, 2008

Morgantown's Personal Rapid Transit was built after the 1973 Oil Embargo to demonstrate how to become oil-independent. It has delivered 110 million injury-free passenger miles. PB-244854 was the blueprint created at the time for oil-independent transport.
Urban oil-based transport is less than 4% efficient. Modernizing Morgantown' PRT can increase efficiency from 4% to 70%. Visit JPods.com and Taxi2000.com for examples.

Bill James of CA 7:23AM March 07, 2008

Yeah, right. First it was cold fusion, now it's cold hydrogen from water. B.S.!

John of CA 4:06PM March 06, 2008

There is a myth that technological developments needed to solve our energy crisis can be created with a budget. If this is so, why don't we just sink billions into perpetual motion machines and sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour.

Austin of TX 2:46PM March 06, 2008

What is the patent number? If it is granted, it will be in the public database. I wouldn't mind taking a look at it.

Annie of 12:38PM March 06, 2008

It will only be possible to produce hydrogen in the required amounts if scientists all over the world succeed in creating high temperature nuclear reactors that run on thorium or uranium 238. South Africa, China and India are following different paths to achieve that goal. South Africa and China by focusing on the development of the Pebble Bed Reactor and India by focusing on thorium as reactor fuel. The hydrogen kan be transformed to the hydrogen rich ammonia which can be stored in the Danish developed hydrogen pill. This pill is virtually without any bad odeur and cannot burn. The pill can release its hydrogene i a sofc fuel cell without polluting the cell with carbon. Difficult but not quite impossible.

Niels Colding 4:23AM March 06, 2008

Bartlett is correct in that a more practical immediate aproach is needed.
Such as Electric tractors or even better animal traction and more farmers millions more.

gary of AR 12:25AM March 06, 2008