. 24/7 Space News .
CAR TECH
Cactus-inspired skin may provide boost to electric car industry
by Brooks Hays
Canberra, Australia (UPI) Apr 28, 2016


disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

The fuel cells that power electric cars require a significant amount of water. Fuel cell membranes are hydrated with a radiator, water reservoir and a humidifier -- all energy-intensive components.

Researchers in Australia are working on a solution to keep fuel cells more efficiently hydrated, and they're drawing their inspiration from a cactus.

"A cactus plant has tiny cracks, called stomatal pores, which open at night when it is cool and humid, and close during the day when the conditions are hot and arid," Cara Doherty, a researcher with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia, explained in a news release.

Doherty and her colleagues successfully designed and built a fuel cell membrane that works in much the same way. Water is generated by an electrochemical reaction, while nanocracks ensure proper hydration. When conditions are drier, the cracks remain tightly sealed; when the cracks sense humid conditions, they open up.

"This means that fuel cells can remain hydrated without the need for bulky external humidifier equipment," Doherty said. "We also found that the skin made the fuel cells up to four times as efficient in hot and dry conditions."

Doherty is the co-author of a new paper on the breakthrough, published this week in the journal Nature.

The study's findings and the new membrane are expected to offer a significant performance boost to electric cars. The research has other potential applications, too.

"This technique could also be applied to other existing technologies that require hydrated membranes, including devices for water treatment and gas separation," added lead study author Young Moo Lee, a professor at Hanyang University in South Korea.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Car Technology at SpaceMart.com






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
CAR TECH
Global carmakers see rising competition in China
Beijing (AFP) April 25, 2016
Global carmakers gathered in Beijing on Monday to show off their wares as competition intensifies and growth slows in the world's biggest auto market, with SUVs and new energy vehicles the focus of attention. The show, which alternates between the capital and commercial hub Shanghai, came after auto sales in China grew just 4.7 percent last year, down from 6.9 percent in 2014, according to d ... read more


CAR TECH
First rocket made ready for launch at Vostochny spaceport

Supernova iron found on the moon

Russia to shift all Lunar launches to Vostochny Cosmodrome

Lunar lava tubes could help pave way for human colony

CAR TECH
NASA seeks industry ideas for an advanced Mars satellite

Rover mini-walkabout to find clay mineral continues

Russia, Italy plan first bid to explore beneath mars surface in 2018

First light for ExoMars

CAR TECH
When technology bites back

Menstruation in spaceflight: Options for astronauts

Tech industry titans urge US to better fund science ed

Space Subcommittee examines commercial challenges

CAR TECH
China to become aerospace power by 2030

150 Long March rocket launches scheduled 2016-2020

China aims for deeper space with new generation rockets

China targets 2020 Mars mission launch: official

CAR TECH
15 years of Europe on the International Space Station

US-Russia Space Projects Set Example of Good Cooperation

Russia, US discuss boosting efficiency of cooperation at ISS

BEAM successfully installed to the International Space Station

CAR TECH
Soyuz meets its multi-satellite payload for Friday's Arianespace launch

Europe makes fourth attempt to launch Russian rocket

Sentinel-1B in position for liftoff

Arianespace cooperation with Russia remains smooth amid sanctions

CAR TECH
Kepler spacecraft recovered and returned to the K2 Mission

Lone planetary-mass object found in family of stars

University of Massachusetts Lowell PICTURE-B Mission Completed

Stars strip away atmospheres of nearby super-Earths

CAR TECH
Liquid spiral vortex discovered

New material combines useful, typically incompatible properties

Researchers coax molecules into assembling themselves

Antimatter helps to unveil the secrets of liquid crystals









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.