VATIS UPDATE Article

Scientists, including one of Indian origin at US Army Research Laboratory (ARL), have developed an aluminium nano-powder that turns urine into hydrogen instantly, which can power fuel cells and provide clean energy. ARL scientists had earlier announced that their nano-galvanic aluminium-based powder produced pure hydrogen when coming into contact with water.

The researchers observed a similar reaction when adding their powder to any liquid containing water. They also found that adding it to urine releases hydrogen at a much higher rate than with ordinary water. “We developed a new processing technique to synthesise a material, which spontaneously splits water into hydrogen,” said Kristopher Darling, at ARL.

Fuel cells generate electricity quietly, efficiently and without pollution. They are more energy-efficient than combustion engines and the hydrogen used to power them can come from a variety of sources. “We have calculated that one kilogramme of aluminium powder can produce 220 kilowatts of energy in just three minutes,” said Anit Giri, an ARL researcher.