Graphene's ability to filter protons from ambient air with only a small electric charge and catalyst if possible on a larger scale, should fuel cheap limitless energy for both fuel cells and combustion. A virtuous cycle, hydrogen from the air resulting in water as the only by-product of oxidation. There is no free lunch, however. The hydrogen ions must come from somewhere to be freely available in the air, either pollution, as in acid rain, or photonic as in photosynthesis. Graphene may play a role in the later. The original article is worth reading.
Although the letter reports the passage of protons into a vacuum, measured by mass spec. There remains a caution that the permeation consists only of electrons with the apparent loss of ionized hydrogen on one side and the appearance of ionized hydrogen on the other. If indeed the demonstration of protons appearing in a vacuum, screened by a single layer of graphene is repeatable, then the promise of graphene for fuel cells and for future applications, capturing protons from the atmosphere will be a game changer.
Why hydrogen, why protons? First of all hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and it is by far the most efficient fuel by weight -- think enthalpy as in physical chemistry. We are aware of the explosive potential of hydrogen from the Hindenburg tragedy. However, hydrogen is hard to contain requiring both high pressure and low temperature. It compares poorly to methane on a volume to volume basis. As a single atom, though, H2 becomes H+, a proton, and as such is much easier to control, more energy dense and converts directly to electricity. Crank up the proton drive Scotty! Harvesting protons from the air sounds almost to good to be true but if so imagine the possibilities.
Economic growth depends on productivity which depends upon a cheap abundant exploitable resource, what better resource than free energy.
Hu, S. et all Nature http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/Nature14015 (2014) pp227 #7530 11 Dec.
Graphene-based Fuel Cell Could Extract Hydrogen Directly from Air, ieee Spectrum, Dexter Johnson , 2 Dec 14
Nature 27 November 2014 Richard Van Noorden Bullet-Proof Armor and Hydrogen Sieve adds to graphene's promise
Nature vol 516 #7530 11 Dec pp174 Rohit N. Karnik, MIT, Breakethrough for Protons
Although the letter reports the passage of protons into a vacuum, measured by mass spec. There remains a caution that the permeation consists only of electrons with the apparent loss of ionized hydrogen on one side and the appearance of ionized hydrogen on the other. If indeed the demonstration of protons appearing in a vacuum, screened by a single layer of graphene is repeatable, then the promise of graphene for fuel cells and for future applications, capturing protons from the atmosphere will be a game changer.
Why hydrogen, why protons? First of all hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and it is by far the most efficient fuel by weight -- think enthalpy as in physical chemistry. We are aware of the explosive potential of hydrogen from the Hindenburg tragedy. However, hydrogen is hard to contain requiring both high pressure and low temperature. It compares poorly to methane on a volume to volume basis. As a single atom, though, H2 becomes H+, a proton, and as such is much easier to control, more energy dense and converts directly to electricity. Crank up the proton drive Scotty! Harvesting protons from the air sounds almost to good to be true but if so imagine the possibilities.
Economic growth depends on productivity which depends upon a cheap abundant exploitable resource, what better resource than free energy.
Hu, S. et all Nature http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/Nature14015 (2014) pp227 #7530 11 Dec.
Graphene-based Fuel Cell Could Extract Hydrogen Directly from Air, ieee Spectrum, Dexter Johnson , 2 Dec 14
Nature 27 November 2014 Richard Van Noorden Bullet-Proof Armor and Hydrogen Sieve adds to graphene's promise
Nature vol 516 #7530 11 Dec pp174 Rohit N. Karnik, MIT, Breakethrough for Protons
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