Researchers at Shinshu University in Japan have built a novel reactor to manufacture renewable hydrogen fuel directly from sunlight and water. It’s still an early prototype, but.
The big picture: Most hydrogen production still relies on natural gas. However, a new technique that uses only sunlight and water could allow humanity to move away from using fossil fuels to produce cleaner energy.
Researchers at Shinshu University in Japan have built a novel reactor to manufacture renewable hydrogen fuel directly from sunlight and water. It’s still an early prototype, but the system could eventually provide a way to produce zero-emission fuel cheaply and sustainably.
The reactor is 1,076 sq ft and employs unique photocatalytic panels to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This conversion leverages a two-step process. First, the reactor extracts oxygen. The second step separates the hydrogen atoms. The device can then siphon off the hydrogen and store it as a clean-burning fuel for powering vehicles, generators, or other machines.
