Hydrogen is flammable, so what are some reassuring ways to store it?

Hydrogen is flammable, so what are some reassuring ways to store it?

One of the great potentials of green cars comes from hydrogen energy. However, hydrogen is difficult to handle and store and can be dangerous if not stored and handled properly. A team of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute has developed a new method to store hydrogen in chemical form for easy transport and replenishment without the need for expensive refueling networks.

This breakthrough material, called POWERPASTE, will first be used in electric scooters. The material is based on magnesium hydride and was developed by a research team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials. A typical hydrogen-powered car is equipped with a fortified tank pressurized to 700 bar.

The hydrogen in the tank feeds a fuel cell, which converts the hydrogen into electricity to operate the electric motor. While hydrogen is an effective solution for regular and larger vehicles, it is not an option for smaller vehicles such as e-scooters and motorcycles commonly used in large cities. POWERPASTE is able to store hydrogen in chemical form at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, which can be released on demand.

POWERPASTE remains safe even if the e-scooter is parked in the sun for hours, scientists at the institute said. Refueling with the material is also simple, with the rider simply replacing the empty filter element with a new one and filling another tank with regular water. The main ingredient of POWERPASTE is magnesium, one of the most abundant elements on earth and easily available.

Magnesium powder combines with hydrogen to form magnesium hydride. This process is carried out at a temperature of 350 degrees Celsius and 5 to 6 times atmospheric pressure. The team adds esters and metal salts to create the finished product. The paste is fed from a barrel into the car's propulsion system using a plunger, and water is added from the on-board water tank to cause a reaction to produce hydrogen, with the quantity dynamically adjusted according to the requirements of the fuel cell.