There are many environmental issues when dealing with climate change the use of fossil fuels and how to replace it with a cleaner fuel.
In terms of clean fuel, hydrogen fuel has been one of the more examined alternate fuels. The simplest way hydrogen fuel can be used is to produce fuel from splitting hydrogen and oxygen from water molecules through the process electrolysis.
Electrolysis uses electric current to split water by passing the current through metal plates called electrodes. Typically these electrodes are made out of platinum, due to their high conductivity and low decay rate in water.
The expense of platinum limits this technology making it unviable for large industries. In last month's issue Science, researchers discovered a cheaper alternative involving nickel metal coated in nickel oxide attached to carbon nanotubes.
This alternative method allows water to split using a 1.5 volt battery. Although the electrodes last only a few days, there is possibility for future improvements and implications in industrial settings.
Use of alternative fuels is one possible solution to dealing with climate change without drastically changing the way the world is run.
Jeff Jang
Prince George
