Start-up says it can make hydrogen with sunlight and water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a start-up's claim of developing a low-cost titania electrode that can produce hydrogen from water using sunlight. Participants explore the feasibility of this technology, its commercial viability, and related biological processes for hydrogen production.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the commercial viability of the technology, citing the high costs associated with solar cells.
  • One participant challenges the clarity and accuracy of the media report regarding the technology's operation, suggesting it may be misleading.
  • A question is raised about a microbe that can produce hydrogen using sunlight, prompting speculation about its identity.
  • Another participant proposes that the microbe in question could be purple non-sulfur bacteria, indicating a potential area of interest in biological hydrogen production.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the commercial viability of the start-up's technology, and there is disagreement regarding the clarity of the media report. The identity of the microbe remains uncertain, with differing suggestions offered.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the specifics of the technology and its practical applications, as well as the accuracy of the media representation. The discussion includes assumptions about cost-effectiveness and the performance of the electrodes.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in renewable energy technologies, hydrogen production methods, and microbial processes in energy generation may find this discussion relevant.

SF
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9852737-54.html

The Maynard, Mass.-based company, which Wednesday announced that it has raised $4.7 million, has come up with a low-cost, durable titania electrode that can split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

Sunlight hits the electrode, and the electrode splits the light into a positive charge (called a hole) and an electron. Before the two charges can rejoin, the electron gets captured by the electrode and then is exploited to split water. Silicon solar cells operate on the same principle.

Other companies have tried to use titania electrodes for this job in the past, but they broke down relatively rapidly, according to Nanoptek. The company's electrodes work better because, ironically, they are more brittle. The crystal lattice in the electrode is stressed, i.e. additional materials are added. (Semiconductor makers similarly stress their chips with germanium to create strained silicon, which improves performance.)
 
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I doubt they can do it inexpensively enough to make it commercially viable. Solar cells are expensive.
 
Sunlight hits the electrode, and the electrode splits the light into a positive charge (called a hole) and an electron. Before the two charges can rejoin, the electron gets captured by the electrode and then is exploited to split water. Silicon solar cells operate on the same principle.

Like so many popular media reports, this is nonsense. Of course we have no way of knowing what the author meant to say.
 
The article makes reference to a microbe that can produce hydrogen with input energy from sunlight.. Would anyone know what the microbe is called and where would you find them?
 
Could it be purple non-sulfur bacteria? Seems to be the rage.