HyperSolar Hydrogen Generation Technology: Possible?

[Walker2]

Hi Forum,

 

I am looking at investing in this company: HYSR http://www.hypersolar.com./

 

From the website:

 

• Self-contained Photoelectrochemical Nanosystem — Our low cost nano-size particle technology is designed to mimic photosynthesis and contains a solar absorber that generates electrons from sunlight, as well as integrated cathode and anode areas to readily split water and transfer those electrons to the molecular bonds of hydrogen. Unlike solar panels or wind turbines that produce a sizeable number of electrons that will be lost before reaching the hydrogen bonds, our nanoparticles are optimized at the nano-level to ensure maximal electron generation and utilization efficiency. Consequently, our nanoparticle technology uses substantially fewer photovoltaic elements, an expensive material, than conventional solar panels to achieve the same system level efficiency. Thereby significantly lowering the system cost of what is essentially an electrolysis process.

• Protective Coating — The biggest problem with submerging photovoltaic elements in water for direct electrolysis is corrosion and short circuiting. To address this problem, we have developed a protective coating that encapsulates key elements of the nanoparticle to allow it to function for a long periods of time in a wide range of water conditions without corrosion. This allows the nanoparticles to be submerged or dissolved into virtually any source of water, such as sea water, runoff water, river water, or waste water, instead of purified distilled water.

In early February Hypersolar announced that it had produced 1.2 volts of open circuit voltage to be used in hydrogen production through direct sunlight. Why is this important? The voltage necessary to split water into hydrogen and oxygen is only 1.23 volts. To underscore the speed at which they have progressed, HYSR moved 10% from late 2013 (1.1 volts) to the 1.2 volts reached almost three months ago. Further, at the beginning of 2013 HYSR was only at 0.2 volts. The accepted voltage number for mass production is 1.5 volts.

 

Is there any reason (like the law of conservation of energy!) why this couldn't work?

 

Thank you for your insights!

 

Sincerely,

Mike

[pavelcherepan]

My question is about the claim that it can be used in any source of water. I'm not an expert on the matter but imagine a normal situation where you attempt electrolysis of, say, sea water. You put a couple of electrodes into the water, connect them to a DC power source and it begins. After some time your electrodes become covered in a coating of ions, that have been dissolved in water previously and a little while after the whole sysytem will come to a halt because the coating will cause short-circuiiting or high power losses.

 

I can't see why this won't be happening with nano-sized particles, which, since they produce a difference of electric potentials, would still have positive and negative poles. In fact, being nano-sized, their function would be impaired even quicker than that of a normal electrode.

[imatfaal]

!

Moderator Note

 

BTW Mike,

 

We do not give investment advice. We will talk about the science, the technology, its implementation, and perhaps even the economics - but not the viability and profitability of a particular company. Do not rely on any posts / information given here.