All articles tagged with #electrolysis
Researchers found oxygen concentrations rising inside sealed patches of seafloor more than 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific, suggesting a form of “dark oxygen” produced by electrolysis within polymetallic nodules rather than photosynthesis, a discovery with implications for ocean chemistry and debates over deep-sea mining.
General Galactic plans to launch a 1,200-pound satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in October that uses only water as propellant, testing both an electrolysis-driven electrical thruster and a hydrogen-oxygen chemical thruster. If successful, it could pave the way for in-space refueling and long-range missions by harvesting water on the Moon or Mars; however, water-based propulsion faces challenges like corrosion, added mass, and typically lower exhaust speeds, meaning the test must prove practical thrust for deep-space travel.
A startup led by former SpaceX engineer Halen Mattison aims to turn water into rocket fuel via electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen for chemical propulsion, and into plasma for electrical propulsion. The plan envisions a Mars-based refueling network and includes a 1,100-pound satellite test on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in October 2026, with the potential to dramatically reduce mission costs and enable longer, deeper-space journeys.
Former SpaceX engineer Halen Mattison and General Galactic plan to launch an 1,100‑pound satellite on Falcon 9 to test turning water into rocket fuel: electrolyze water to hydrogen and oxygen for chemical propulsion, and drive oxygen to plasma for electric propulsion. While the approach could aid in-situ resource use and offer rapid thrust bursts, experts warn about potential electronics corrosion from ionized oxygen and the added mass of the electrolysis system; the concept remains controversial, though research into extracting water and oxygen from lunar or Martian regolith continues.
A New York startup's fridge-sized Aircela device captures CO2 from air and water, uses electrolysis to yield hydrogen, then converts CO2 to methanol and ultimately gasoline, delivering about one gallon per day. It stores up to 17 gallons, costs an estimated $15k–$20k with plans to drop the price via mass production, and could be powered by solar to push energy costs below $1.50 per gallon; while real-world impact is limited by scale, the process uses well-established chemistry and could be practical in remote areas.
Korean scientists have developed a new catalyst using MXene and nickel ferrite that can remove chloride ions during electrolysis, enabling hydrogen production from seawater and potentially making green hydrogen more sustainable and accessible by conserving freshwater resources.
Blue Origin is developing a process to produce rocket fuel from moon dust by melting it and using electrolysis to extract oxygen, potentially enabling sustainable space missions and reducing the need to carry fuel from Earth.
University of Sydney researchers have developed a new method to produce green ammonia directly from air using plasma and electrolysis, potentially revolutionizing sustainable fertilizer and hydrogen storage, and reducing reliance on the climate-intensive Haber-Bosch process.
Researchers in Japan have developed a cost-effective manganese oxide catalyst with a unique 3D structure that significantly increases hydrogen production efficiency and durability in water electrolysis, potentially replacing expensive rare metals like iridium in PEM electrolysers and advancing sustainable hydrogen energy.
Cassie seeks advice on dealing with chin hairs that cause breakouts when plucked and look like a prickly beard when shaved. The options suggested include laser hair removal or electrolysis, with a recommendation to consult a dermatologist first to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Laser hair removal targets pigment in the hair and requires multiple sessions, while electrolysis is a truly permanent option suitable for all hair colors and skin types. At-home hair removal devices are not recommended due to potential complications.
Researchers from Dalian University of Technology in China have developed a durable and inexpensive electrocatalyst made of nickel, iron, and silicon that significantly reduces the energy required to generate clean hydrogen and oxygen from water. The catalyst, known as ferric-nickel silicide (FeNiSi) alloy, is bifunctional, meaning it can efficiently produce both hydrogen and oxygen gas. The manufacturing process involves heating natural clay magadiite with iron chloride and nickel chloride to create a metallic silicate, which is then reduced using magnesium and salt to form the FeNiSi alloy. The electrocatalyst demonstrated promising performance and durability, offering new opportunities for renewable energy conversion.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into methane using copper-based catalysts and electrolysis. The catalysts, made by grafting isolated copper atoms onto two-dimensional polymer templates, enabled the reduction of carbon dioxide to methane with high selectivity and efficiency. By modulating the distances between the copper atoms, the energy required for key reaction steps was lowered, resulting in faster chemical conversion. This advancement in carbon dioxide conversion technology could help close the artificial carbon cycle and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.
Researchers from Imperial College London have developed a nano rocket engine called the ICE-Cube Thruster that runs on water and could be used to maneuver small satellites in space. The engine utilizes electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which are then fed into a combustion chamber and nozzle less than 1mm in length to produce thrust. This eliminates the need for bulky storage tanks, making it easier to miniaturize propulsion systems.
Researchers at Imperial College in the UK have developed a miniature space thruster chip, called the ICE-Cube Thruster, that runs on water. The thruster uses an electrolysis process to produce hydrogen and oxygen, eliminating the need for bulky gaseous propellant storage. With a combustion chamber and nozzle measuring less than 1mm in length, the thruster was assembled using a MEMS approach. Testing achieved 1.25 millinewtons of thrust, and the data gathered will guide the development of a flight-representative propulsion system.
A team of chemical engineers has developed a new catalyst, carbon compound nickel-iron-molybdenum-phosphide anchored on nickel foam (NiFeMo-P-C), that significantly reduces the energy required for the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The catalyst, which is cost-efficient and easily manufactured, lowers the activation energy of both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), making clean hydrogen production more commercially viable. The NiFeMo-P-C catalyst demonstrates excellent catalytic performance and durability, making it a promising candidate for large-scale hydrogen production.