H2FC major defects

In Japan, some types of the H2FC have entered the early market phase। At least 20,000 ENEFARM (residential CHP) systems are now operating at ordinary homes। Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) will be launched in around 2015 in the world। Those types of the H2FC involve the following serious problems: 1) The price is too high। 2) Large-scale infrastructure such as hydrogen stations is essentially needed. 3) Hydrogen embrittlement problem is not yet solved.4) Serious problems are still alive in the generation, storage and transportation of hydrogen. >> More

MgFC major advantages

MgFC has the following advantages. It seems to me that MgFC may relegate H2FC to a supporting role.
1) There is no need of the infrastructure to supply fuel to the fuel cell.
2) Mg as fuel can be transported in safe and simple way.
3) The structure of MgFC is simple, and its price is negligibly low compared to that of the hydrogen fuel cell (H2FC).
4) MgFC device per se is light in weight and high in safety.
5) The service life of the MgFC is almost semi-permanent when considered in practical use। 6) The Mg resource is almost limitless। >> More

Magnesium Fuel Cell (MgFC)

Flame-retardant magnesium (Mg-Al-Ca) alloy that is specially designed is used for making the body of the AeroTrain #6.During investigating the properties of the flame-retardant magnesium alloy, it was discovered that the seawater corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy is larger than that of the conventional flame-retardant magnesium. It seems that the discovery moved him and he accelerated his development of the magnesium fuel cell (MgFC). The high seawater corrosion resistance leads to avoidance of the natural discharge problem, which is inherent to the fuel cell. The flame-retardancy of the magnesium alloy is at such a level as to allow the magnesium alloy to be welded in the air. The MgFC developed does not almost need catalyst. The price of it is negligible compared to that of the hydrogen fuel cell (H2FC). The MgFC as the emergency-use fuel cell has reached practical levels. >> More

Tunami and Magnesium Fuel Cell

Prof. Kohama has experienced "Japan 2011 earthquake/tsunami disaster". He saw real disaster scenes with his own eyes. Power outage occurred. In the situation, time is critical, but victims could not know tsunami/earthquake information. This partly led to expansion of the damages. The following crossed his mind: If electric power supply could be continued for several days, the damage expansion would be minimized. Victims could get moment-to-moment changing disaster conditions from broadcasts. Airconditioners, if operable, would help patients and sick persons keep their health conditions good. This would spur him on to accelerate his MgFC development having thus far been made, I suppose. For an example of MgFC use, see the picture in previous article. More

AeroTrain

The high-speed transport system has wings, and flies at the height of 10 cm above the ground and at the speed of 500 km/h, while moving within and along a train guideway, which is U-shaped in cross section. The transport system uses well combination of the principle of flotation and the ground effect#3. This causes the train to take a minimum running resistance, and results in reduction of the energy consumption by the train and allowing use of the small drive source of the train. In addition, flame-retardant magnesium alloy (Mg-Al-Ca, developed by AIST) is used for making the train body. Use of the alloy also contributes to the running resistance reduction. Those reasons enable the electric power generated by renewable-energy based power generators, such as solar battery and wind power to drive the train #4.
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Mg Soleil project

Pro. Kohama conceives a "Mg Soleil project" and is promoting the project. He has a conclusion that the primary energy available on the earth is the solar energy. He investigated the entire energy available on the earth, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energy and others, and calculatively reached the conclusion that the solar energy is over 60% of the earth's available energy. To gather the solar energy the desert is the best place. The reason is that the solar energy density is much higher, three times, than in Japan#2A. Magnesium is an almost limitless resource.Solar furnaces are placed on the desert, gathered magnesium compound is refined to produce magnesium metal, and it is transported as metal masses to consumption areas. In the consumption area, the magnesium metal is used as structural materials and converted into electrical energy. To the end, he considers that it is essential to develop Mg refining technology and Mg fuel-cell technology. AeroTrain uses specially designed flame retardant magnesium for its body. This is an example of the application of Mg to the structural material.
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Next generation high-speed transport system

Sendai having suffered from Japan 2011 earthquake/ tsunami disaster is steadily and powerfully moving towards its reconstruction. In this situation, large-scale technology development is now progressing. The technology concerns the next-generation high-speed transport system (AeroTrain)*1.

The developer is Prof. Kohama (Tohoku University, New Industry Creation Hatchery Center). The performances of AeroTrain are far superior to those of Shinkansen and Linear Motor Car. It should be noted that the transport system is designed based on the concept of environmental friendliness. The environment-friendliness is his mission as a scientist , and also his technical idea. The transport system will go into real service in 2020.

The research/development of the AeroTrain is being made in part of the NEDO project.

During and in connection with the development, a magnesium fuel cell was developed. This is a shocking fuel cell. There is no doubt that his tragic experience of the earthquake/tsunami disaster gave a great impulse to him for the MgFC development. The MgFC has great advantages when using in emergency situations. >> More