WIREDGOV

The possibility of generating hydrogen from sea water using sunlight energy is now one step closer, thanks to the production of unique power generating devices. Scientists at Atmos Technologies, based at the STFC Daresbury Laboratory, have successfully developed a completely new, environmentally friendly technique for the production of these devices, known as photo voltaic diodes, at a fraction of the cost and with a substantially lower carbon footprint than that created by conventional methods. The hydrogen produced using the Atmos technology can be generated economically and efficiently and utilised either as a gas in fuel cells or in conventional engines as a replacement for petrol. To do this using mains electricity would not be economical as it would cost more in energy to generate the hydrogen than what is given out when the hydrogen is used.

Photo voltaic diodes work by using sunlight to generate electrical power, which is applied to two terminals submerged in sea water. The sea water is separated by the electrical power, generating hydrogen at one terminal and oxygen at the other. The oxygen can either be collected or released back into the atmosphere .The hydrogen is collected and stored for use either in fuel cells which can power electric motors or in conventional engines.

Production of the photo voltaic power generating diodes involves a new ‘flame spraying’ method as an alternative to conventional silicon based diodes that have been used to date. The objective of this new development is to produce photo voltaic power generating diodes, with the same efficiencies as current silicon devices, but at substantially lower costs, both financially and to the environment.

Traditionally, the production of all silicon power generating diodes consumes a total of 150 kilowatt hours of electricity required to manufacture 1 kg of silicon for production into power generating devices. This means that it takes up to five years before more energy is produced than was used during manufacture, even when operated in tropical regions. Furthermore, ‘clean room’ conditions are always required due to the necessary use of toxic substances, such as phosphorous, arsenic and hydro-fluoric acid. In contrast, the Atmos power generating diodes are produced by a unique flame spraying method - a more flexible process that uses no toxic chemicals, does not require clean room conditions and does not generate hard to dispose of toxic waste. Current tests show that Atmos’ flame spraying method uses approximately 1/60th of the energy required to make conventional elements. This results in a substantial energy saving and a much faster energy payback.

Jeff Boardman, Managing Director at Atmos Technologies said: “Atmos’ non toxic manufacturing process means that it is now demonstrably possible to generate hydrogen from sea water without harming the environment in the process. In fact, our technique can be considered a virtually pollution-free means of generating hydrogen from seawater using sunlight, providing an ever renewable, non polluting fuel from a free energy source that could be used in fuel cells for petrol engines or to produce electricity for homes.”

Professor Colin Whitehouse, STFC’s Director of Knowledge Exchange said: “Atmos Technologies has made a major breakthrough in what stands to benefit both the UK economy and the environment. The UK has an ever-increasing reputation for commercialising science and this is yet another credible example of what happens when a small, innovative company benefits from access to the advanced skills and facilities such as those provided at the Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus.”


For further information contact:
Wendy Taylor MCIPR
Press Officer
STFC Daresbury Laboratory
Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus
Daresbury
Warrington
Cheshire
WA4 4AD

Tel. 01925 603232
Fax 01925 603195
Email: w.j.taylor@dl.ac.uk

Images available upon request
Jeffery Boardman displays photo voltaic diode

Science and Technology Facilities Council The Science and Technology Facilities Council ensures the UK retains its leading place on the world stage by delivering world-class science; accessing and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships.

The Council has a broad science portfolio including Astronomy, Particle Physics, Particle Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Space Science, Synchrotron Radiation, Neutron Sources and High Power Lasers. In addition the Council manages and operates three internationally renowned laboratories:
• The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire
• The Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire
• The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh
The Council gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the European organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, which includes the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory.

The Council distributes public money from the Government to support scientific research. Between 2007 and 2008 we will invest approximately £678 million.

Atmos Technologies
Atmos Technologies was set up to commercialise the technology discovered by Jeffrey Boardman in the 1990s at Salford University. The Atmos technology covers the field of radiation detectors, where simple, robust, inexpensive diodes can be mass produced cost effectively by the process of flame spraying the various oxides onto readily available substrates. Atmos Technologies has received support and backing from the STFC Daresbury Laboratory, the North West Development Agency, NESTA, the Merseyside Special Investment Fund and Liverpool Ventures.