New FC platinum-reduction technology-2

The oxygen reduction reaction activity of the electrodes of the fuel cell is low. 

To increase the reaction activity, a large amount of platinum has been used for the electrode material of the fuel cell.  How to reduce the amount of the platinum used is one of the problems to be urgently solved. 

A platinum – cerium oxide (auxiliary catalyst) nano-composite material presented one of the solutions to the problem. It exhibits an excellent oxygen reduction reaction activity.  The reaction activity is higher than of the platinum. 

A mechanism to increase the reaction mechanism in the auxiliary catalyst was experimentally elucidated through the in-situ measurement using X-rays that are radiated by utilizing Spring-8 (= Super Photon ring-8, the world's largest synchrotron radiation facility). 

The successful elucidation will pave the way of developing electrode materials  having further enhanced properties.  >> More

New FC platinum-reduction technology-1

Metal nano-particles coagulate with one another. Electrode catalyst activity decreases.  This necessitates use of a large amount of rare metal (e.g., platinum).   Reduction of platinum used is a crying need in this field. 

One solution has successfully been presented.  It is a metal nano-particle solubilizing technology. 

The new technology succeeded in increasing the catalytic activity at the catalyst carried electrodes of the fuel cell by 15 times when compared with the conventional technology.

Reducing the use amount of platinum to 1/100 will be within the capability of the technology.  >> More

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.
>> More