

Researchers discovered ideal particles size for catalyst inside a fuel cell









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RE: Shows some promise
By Triple Omega on 9/18/2009 3:21:01 PM , Rating: 2
Your Pro-Electric conclusion only holds true if the advancements in battery capacity AND battery charge time come in the near future and are great enough to make electric a 1:1 replacement for fossil fuels.

If the capacity isn't raised to high enough levels, business applications will be severely diminished as continues operation for extended periods will be impossible.

If the charge time isn't significantly reduced, people won't be able to make a quick recharging stop, which will effectively prevent them from choosing a destination beyond where one charge can take them.

I have no doubt that electric is the future, but we might have to get there through hydrogen.

RE: Shows some promise
By quiksilvr on 9/18/2009 5:13:16 PM , Rating: 2
If you read the nanowire battery article on Wikipedia, you will see that due to its incredible energy density increases the surface area, which therefore allows for fast charging and discharging. In fact, HP has already developed a similar battery already and will make it commercial within a year or so.

You are forgetting that people can charge their cars while at home making it less necessary for charging stations in the first place. You only really need to charge it up at parking lots and they are already starting to place charging stations at these places (something that is much much easier to do than putting a hydrogen station).

Hydrogen has its benefits, but not on the ground.

RE: Shows some promise
By drmo on 9/18/2009 5:46:02 PM , Rating: 2
That is pretty good. The cost will be higher, but once mass production lowers the costs sufficiently, it seems a battery with 10X the storage capacity would make the other technologies pointless. The Volt would be able to go 400 miles (with its current size battery), so no need for a backup gas motor, and quick charges would mean you could have a smaller battery, less weight, etc.

Then we can be back to driving massive SUVs and trucks, and use four electric motors.... I wonder what kind of power you could get with that.

RE: Shows some promise
By AnnihilatorX on 9/19/2009 7:19:30 AM , Rating: 2
It is entirely possible to put electrolysis device in a hydrogen car that consumes water as fuel. When you charge such a car you put water as well as plug it to electricity grid. Though this is certainly more complex and require expensive technology despite being currently available.

Much more research is definitely needed.

Though I say skip hydrogen fuel cells and go for fusion fuel cells :P

RE: Shows some promise
By Triple Omega on 9/19/2009 10:01:22 AM , Rating: 2
1) I did read that nanowire article(I actually read far more about it months ago.), but a theoretical/experimental technology is not a fully developed technology. There is no way to know for sure how long it's actually going to take to get there in mass-production or if the promised numbers will be attainable at all. If it takes too long or isn't good enough in the end, hydrogen might be the only option.

2) Why are you assuming I forgot about charging at home? I actually said:
Meaning they can charge at home, then drive to their destination and charge there, then drive back. They can't however drive further then where one charge will take them as recharging mid-travel will then be necessary and that will take unacceptably long.

3) Also you have to take industrial vehicles into account. They often cost a lot of money if they're doing nothing, so large capacity and quick charge is vital in this sector. The catch here is that the big money is in the industry, not the consumers. Meaning whichever side the industry choses will get a massive financial boost and likely be able to conquer the consumer market as well.

RE: Shows some promise
By namechamps on 9/21/2009 8:27:27 AM , Rating: 2
Average EV battery pack is ~10kwh

Say charging system is 200V.

10kwh / 200V = 50ah.

So if wanted the vehicle to charge in 1 hour it would need to push 50 amps.
If you wanted the vehicle to charge in 20 minutes it would need ot push 150 amps.

If you wanted the vehicle to charge in 5 minutes it would need to push 600 amps.

Now 600 amp connectors do exist but they are high cost industrial connectors not something that you put in a consumer device where people are distracted while refueling. They also tend not to be high use connectors. An average fuel pump may be used 2-3 million times per year. High amp industrial connectors tend to be inspected routinely by experts.

So the first time a consumer attempt to charge their EV with a damage plug or receptacle and electrocutes themselves the except multi million dollar lawsuit.

No way is any company going to open themselves up to a lawsuit by pushing that much current.

Also for home charging it simply is not possible. House wiring can't handle that much current. Hell many house mains can't handle that much current.


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