Safe Hydrogen Storage could be a Game-Changer

Hydrogen’s explosive properties have long been an obstacle to its adoption in commercial and consumer uses. But a technology originating with the Soviet space program may store the fuel more safely, opening the door to its commercialization.

Swiss-based company C.En has been testing a method that stores compressed hydrogen within bundled tubes of thin, strong glass called capillary arrays.

The technology, which was first developed by Russian scientists for use in the Soviet space program, recently received a safety endorsement from Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research & Testing.

With this affirmation, C.En has been meeting with potential customers to discuss licensing the technology for use in portable devices like laptops and mobile phones.

If safety concerns can be overcome, hydrogen is regarded as a promising fuel for ground and air transport.

C.En, founded in 2006 by Israeli entrepreneur Moeshe Stern, would pay royalties to the Kurchatov Institute, where the capillary array storage was first developed. The company has raised $25 million over the last two years from investors in Israel as well as Europe, Asia, Russia and the U.S.

Return to January 2010 Western Energy News

To sponsor Western Energy News, please contact WEI at 503 231-1994.