Spring Break
Miami scientist discovers material for storing methane
Ben Garbarek
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Campus
Graduate student Shengqian Ma, one of the central researchers in the discovery, described the material as a "powder solid" and said the material is often called sponge-like because of the large amounts of methane that even a small piece can absorb.
Zhou also pointed out that the main component of methane is natural gas, which is used to heat most metropolitan homes, including ones in Oxford.
Zhou imagines a world in which existing gas lines can be connected to fill people's cars at their home, completely eliminating the need for gas stations.
While this breakthrough in methane storage is significant, Zhou's laboratory still has its sights on hydrogen storage and energy.
"Hydrogen is the ultimate clean energy," Zhou said. "The problem of (hydrogen) storage is an even bigger problem (than methane) … our ultimate goal is to find material to store hydrogen that is good enough for a hydrogen-fueled car."
Ma also has his sights set on that first element on the periodic table.
"Hydrogen, that's zero emissions," he said. "Plus hydrogen fueled cars are much more efficient than methane."
While methane is easily accessible from natural gas, Ma said separating hydrogen from water is an even more available, unlimited resource.
Despite the fact this breakthrough involves methane and not hydrogen, Zhou has aimed to use materials compatible with both methane and hydrogen from the get-go.
"This kind of sponge-like material should store hydrogen as well," he said. "In the past, (scientists would) work on one or the other, but we've found a lot of materials that are good for hydrogen and methane storage."
In total, Zhou has created 20 new materials during this project over the course of the last two years. While the other 19 materials have been able to store varying amounts of methane, PCN-14 has exceeded the rest.
While the hydrogen storage remains a work in progress, Zhou said methane is a good source to diversify the United States' energy profile and the next step lies in developing this new technology.
"Engineers will play a larger part in the next stage," Zhou said. "The material is still expensive. We need to develop it into something everyone can use."
So far there are several entrepreneurs in California interested in developing PCN-14. Zhou said that just like most new technology, the cost of the breakthrough would come down to an affordable price after more development.
Zhou also pointed out that the main component of methane is natural gas, which is used to heat most metropolitan homes, including ones in Oxford.
Zhou imagines a world in which existing gas lines can be connected to fill people's cars at their home, completely eliminating the need for gas stations.
While this breakthrough in methane storage is significant, Zhou's laboratory still has its sights on hydrogen storage and energy.
"Hydrogen is the ultimate clean energy," Zhou said. "The problem of (hydrogen) storage is an even bigger problem (than methane) … our ultimate goal is to find material to store hydrogen that is good enough for a hydrogen-fueled car."
Ma also has his sights set on that first element on the periodic table.
"Hydrogen, that's zero emissions," he said. "Plus hydrogen fueled cars are much more efficient than methane."
While methane is easily accessible from natural gas, Ma said separating hydrogen from water is an even more available, unlimited resource.
Despite the fact this breakthrough involves methane and not hydrogen, Zhou has aimed to use materials compatible with both methane and hydrogen from the get-go.
"This kind of sponge-like material should store hydrogen as well," he said. "In the past, (scientists would) work on one or the other, but we've found a lot of materials that are good for hydrogen and methane storage."
In total, Zhou has created 20 new materials during this project over the course of the last two years. While the other 19 materials have been able to store varying amounts of methane, PCN-14 has exceeded the rest.
While the hydrogen storage remains a work in progress, Zhou said methane is a good source to diversify the United States' energy profile and the next step lies in developing this new technology.
"Engineers will play a larger part in the next stage," Zhou said. "The material is still expensive. We need to develop it into something everyone can use."
So far there are several entrepreneurs in California interested in developing PCN-14. Zhou said that just like most new technology, the cost of the breakthrough would come down to an affordable price after more development.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Alan
posted 3/29/09 @ 8:45 PM EST
It's about time. I've been waiting for a storage system that can be used by the small scale producer.The fact that this could also be used for hydrogen is very exciting with the advances in that feild. (Continued…)
Post a Comment