Researchers have developed a solar paint that can absorb water vapour and split it to generate hydrogen – the cleanest source of energy.
The paint contains a newly developed compound that acts like silica gel, which is used in sachets to absorb moisture and keep food, medicines and electronics fresh and dry.
But unlike silica gel, the new material, synthetic molybdenum-sulphide, also acts as a semi-conductor and catalyses the splitting of water atoms into hydrogen and oxygen.
RMIT lead researcher Dr Torben Daeneke said: “We found that mixing the compound with titanium oxide particles leads to a sunlight-absorbing paint that produces hydrogen fuel from solar energy and moist air.
“Titanium oxide is the white pigment that is already commonly used in wall paint, meaning that the simple addition of the new material can convert a brick wall into energy harvesting and fuel production real estate.
“Our new development has a big range of advantages,” he said. “There’s no need for clean or filtered water to feed the system. Any place that has water vapour in the air, even remote areas far from water, can produce fuel.”
His colleague, Distinguished Professor Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, said hydrogen was the cleanest source of energy and could be used in fuel cells as well as conventional combustion engines as an alternative to fossil fuels.
“This system can also be used in very dry but hot climates near oceans. The sea water is evaporated by the hot sunlight and the vapour can then be absorbed to produce fuel.
“This is an extraordinary concept – making fuel from the sun and water vapour in the air.”
Learn more: Solar paint offers endless energy from water vapour
[osd_subscribe categories=’solar-paint’ placeholder=’Email Address’ button_text=’Subscribe Now for any new posts on the topic “SOLAR PAINT’]
The Latest on: Solar paint
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Solar paint” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- Federal Money Is All Over Milwaukee. Biden Hopes Voters Will Notice.on May 1, 2024 at 4:55 am
Across Milwaukee, residents can see evidence of federal money from laws passed under the Biden administration, if they know where to look. It shows up in a growing array of solar panels near the ...
- Rogue Planets, Abundant Asteroids: Space Is More Crowded Than We Thoughton April 30, 2024 at 11:11 am
Just as the Kepler Space Telescope made it clear a decade ago that galaxies are filled with planets — including many that don’t seem that different from Earth in terms of size and temperature — JWST ...
- How to Make Solar-Powered House Numberson April 29, 2024 at 2:58 pm
Place your new solar-powered house number box in an area of your front yard landscaping where it can get at least four hours of direct sunlight. Center the pipe flange on the bottom blocks and attach ...
- Mexico's presidential candidates discuss social spending, climate change in 2nd debateon April 28, 2024 at 10:10 pm
Mexico’s leading presidential candidate repeatedly touted the social programs of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and walked a fine line between supporting the national oil company and ...
- Boviet Solar Picks North Carolina For First North American Production Facilityon April 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Boviet Solar Technology Co. Ltd. has selected Greenville in Pitt ... The Virginia-based company provides metal fabrication, paint, graphics, maintenance and warranty work on fire trucks and other ...
- Gilmer eclipse watchers help artist create special eclipse-themed paintingon April 8, 2024 at 8:59 pm
Many across East Texas gazed into the sky to view the total solar eclipse on Monday ... with the community by letting more than one artist paint under the eclipse. "If you like flowers paint ...
- Gilmer eclipse watchers help artist paint special eclipse-themed paintingon April 8, 2024 at 8:59 pm
Many across East Texas gazed into the sky to view the total solar eclipse on Monday ... with community by letting more than one artist paint under the eclipse. "If you like flowers paint some ...
- How to organize an eclipse event for kids: 9 things to do before, during and after the total solar eclipse 2024on April 5, 2024 at 11:10 am
Decorate the plates with markers, stickers, or paint. Before: make a pinhole camera If you can't get hold of eclipse glasses, the best way to view the partial phases of any solar eclipse is ...
- Artists paint the town in Kent ahead of anticipated solar eclipseon April 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm
In partnership with the Kent Total Eclipse 2024 committee, the city of Kent Parks and Recreation department will host its Kent Total Solar Eclipse Mural Unveiling on Saturday, April 6 at 2 p.m. in ...
- 'Solar paint' technology could be cheaper alternative to panels: 'Billions of light-sensitive particles [are] mixed in'on January 10, 2024 at 4:16 am
That's the beauty of solar paint, as reported by Solar Action Alliance. Click your choice to see results and speak your mind The idea behind solar paint (aka photovoltaic paint) is simple ...
via Google News and Bing News