DOE’s latest millions ($11.2 this time) for hydrogen research

Filed under: Hydrogen, Legislation and Policy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced research awards of $11.2 million for “overcoming the scientific challenges associated with the production, storage and use of hydrogen” this week. While not a huge amount by DOE standards, the money will go to 13 projects that “will focus on fundamental science in support of hydrogen technologies,” the DOE says. Nanotechnologies figure in over half of the money.

Here are the DOE’s descriptions of the 13 projects:

Novel Materials for Hydrogen Storage (7 projects, $5.6 million over three years)
Both the National Academy of Sciences and DOE have identified hydrogen storage as a key technology for the successful implementation of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. A broad range of research in hydrogen storage is covered by these projects, including: complex hydrides; nanostructured and novel materials; theory, modeling and simulation; and state-of-the-art analytical and characterization tools to develop novel storage materials and methods.

Nanoscale Catalysts (6 projects, $5.6 million over three years)
Catalysts play a vital role in hydrogen production, storage and use. Specifically, catalysts are needed for producing hydrogen from water or carbon-containing fuels such as coal and biomass, increasing hydrogen storage kinetics and producing electricity at low cost from hydrogen in fuel cells. Research areas include: innovative synthetic techniques; novel characterization techniques; and theory, modeling and simulation of catalytic pathways.

There is a list of new projects, and where they will be conducted, after the jump.

[Source: DOE]