horizonfuelcell

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The Power of Portable

Some technologies naturally capture the imagination. The high-end automotive industry, not-for-profit charities, space exploration – in very different ways all these sectors are dynamic and exciting, evoking the kinds of associations and images that professional marketers in more run-of-the-mill industries take years to cultivate. Renewable technology is this kind of sector. It’s not hard to get people excited about hydrogen as a clean, efficient technology that can run cars, buses, planes, power plants and even space rockets.

Well that’s great for us, obviously, and all major producers of hydrogen technology. But while we’re privileged to be working alongside leading innovators making truly impressive machines, sometimes it’s worth remembering the smaller innovations, the ones that are here, right now, making a tangible difference to the way people live.

Portable energy is the perfect example. The aim is to create longer-lasting power sources through manufacturing processes that produce barely a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions of the traditional lithium batteries. Hydrogen cartridges can be stored for much longer without a noticeable drop in performance, they are safer as the hydrogen can be stored in solid state inside the casing, and they can be refilled quickly and easily.

Camping trips with consumer electronics? A full extra charge for smartphones and tablets for business travelers used to long trips without access to mains electricity? Fueling stations to refill hydrogen cartridges that require only distilled water to create hydrogen through electrolysis? Well, all this technology already exists, and every passing year brings new developments – longer periods between recharging, smaller cells that are easier to store, more powerful Hydropaks that can run productivity devices.

A single Hydrostick cartridge is capable of delivering ten hours of power at continuous consumption of 1W, and can be recharged up to 100 times. In conjunction with a hydrogen refueling station, Hydrostiks are therefore the equivalent of 1000 disposable AA batteries. Used Hydrostiks can either be exchanged for full cartridges or refilled using Horizon’s Hydrofill– an on-demand refueling station that produces hydrogen from distilled water.

Horizon already works with a number of leading brands in portable power. A partnership with Boc Industrial Gases resulted in the Hymera DC– a standalone unit that automatically monitors and recharges batteries. The Hymera is used for security cameras, electrified fences and backup power for IT and communication systems. Horizon cooperates with Air Liquide on a range of portable power products distributed as an internal promotion tool. Then the Brunton Hydrogen Reactor builds on Horizon’s Minipak to provide a portable recharging system for various electrical devices such as smartphones, tablets, GPS devices, cameras, MP3 players and flashlights.

Sometimes it’s the small changes that really drive a shift in consciousness. When hydrogen becomes a viable alternative for all those little, day-to-day activities – suddenly those cars, buses planes and rockets will seem like the natural next step rather than a far distant future.

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Why Teach Fuel Cells?

Renewable technology now plays an important role in the modern science classroom, introducing children to the astonishing potential of alternative sources of energy. However, while most children have heard of solar panels or wind turbines, fuel cell technology still remains a mystery to many. Yet this is a crucial time, with the mass production of hybrid fuel cell vehicles, the construction of hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the EU and America and international telecom companies increasingly turning to fuel cells for their energy needs. Fuel cells have an enormous amount to teach, both in terms of key scientific principals and their relevance to the greentech innovations happening all around us.

  Hydrogen fuel cells 

Fuel cells are bursting with fascinating science! The key process of a hydrogen fuel cell is the conversion of hydrogen atoms into electrical energy by separating the nucleus from the electron. The electrons are then diverted around an electric circuit while the positively charged hydrogen ions travel through the proton exchange membrane. Then there’s the generation of hydrogen itself—the separation of hydrogen from oxygen through water electrolysis, the hydrogen molecules with a slight positive charge travelling to the cathode while the slightly negatively charge oxygen is attracted to the anode. Molecular bonding, valancy, ions, electrolytes and so much more, just from one alternative technology.

  Other types of cell 

While hydrogen dominates the headlines at the moment, other fuel cells have enormous educational potential. Direct ethanol fuel cells are in many ways the most efficient power generators of the Horizon education range. The process lasts for hours, does not require combustion, and is completely silent. Saltwater fuel cells operate a little differently, generating electricity through a saltwater electrolyte with magnesium plates around the anode.  Thermal cells convert the temperature difference between hot and cold water into electrical energy. One of the key lessons of these alternative fuel cells is just how vast and varied the science is—and how many options we would have if we truly embraced a fuel cell economy.

  Sustainability 

With most of our education kits we try to integrate more varieties of alternative technology to enable students to build self-sustaining renewable energy systems. Wind turbines or photo voltaic panels power the electrolyzer to separate out hydrogen from water. The fuel cell converts hydrogen to electrical energy which then powers a propeller or LED— a great way to demonstrate the principles of energy conservation and conversion. Also, students also get to study things like the effect of shade on solar panels, wind resistance, the optimum number of blades for effective wind energy generation and many other tests and experiments.

  Universal Ideas

The addition of fuel cell and renewable technology to the science curriculum doesn’t mean that the basics principles of physics and chemistry are somehow overlooked. In fact our fuel cell education sets reveal the workings of water electrolysis, the electrical circuit, resistance, voltage, current, RPM and everything else a conventional lithium battery electrochemistry svet can supply. Plus, extra features such as the Renewable Energy Monitor allow teachers and students to not only measure energy, but also take this data and view it graphically in real time on a computer screen.

Fuel cells are the future of emergency backup power, transportation, aerospace, telecommunication support and so much more. With a carbon-neutral world fast approaching, it’s time we introduced students to this crucial technology and started inspiring the next generation of scientists to push the boundaries of renewable science.

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Renewable Energy Education

Renewables are revolutionizing not only the energy industry as we know it, but also science classrooms across the world. Alternative technology is an opportunity to open kids’ eyes to a whole new world of scientific discovery as well as teach fundamental principles in a new way. Let’s take a look at just some of the advantages of integrating renewable technology into the curriculum.

Today’s Technology

Major industrial nations already source an enormous amount of their energy from renewables, with countries like the UK and Germany generating as much as 15% of their power needs with alternative technology. Energy grids of major cities are now supported by localized micro grids and smart grids using renewables. Then there are major automotive companies like Hyundai, GM and Toyota, as well as smaller innovators like Arcola Energy, creating hydrogen fuel cell hybrid and electric cars. Both the EU and US states such as California are investing in a comprehensive renewable refueling station infrastructure, while telecoms in India look to renewables to provide more reliable power generation. Renewables are all around us and becoming an increasingly important part of our lives—what better way to illustrate the direct relevance of science to the real world.

Teach Key Principles

Teaching renewable energy not only opens up a whole new world of energy generation, but also introduces some basic scientific principles. Renewable technology is a practical example of the principle of energy conversion, taking energy from the wind or sunlight and converting it into electrical energy or storing it as hydrogen. Connected to this is the principle of energy conservation— renewables are a great opportunity for students to measure energy loss as it is converted and stored. Then there’s the classic electrical circuit, Horizon education kits contain propellers and LEDs to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of power generated from renewables.

Inspire

Wind turbines, solar panels, fuel cells and all the equipment involved in teaching renewable science naturally capture the imaginations of young minds. Students can experiment with the effects of shade on solar panels, measure wind resistance on turbine blades, try out different kinds of fuel cell to see which is the most efficient and compare metal hydrides with hydrogen generated from water electrolysis. The experiments are directly practical, involve fascinating, engaging technology while still teaching those key electrochemical principles.

Renewables are a multi-faceted tool for science teachers. They are Ideal for getting young minds excited about science, more interesting and versatile for science teachers to create engaging lessons and directly relevant to the technology innovations happening all around us. In the quest to inspire the next generation of physicists and chemists, renewable energy science equipment is a great place to start.

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An RC race and construction challenge with cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells? Introducing 24h de St Jo!

Horizon is involved in pretty much all areas of hydrogen fuel cell technologies, from hydrogen-powered cars to fuel cell systems for telecom companies. But nothing delivers quite the same sense of satisfaction than our involvement in educational projects. Sometimes we get to be part of something very special, an event that captures the imagination of students and adults alike and helps spread awareness of fuel cell technology to a whole new generation of budding scientists. 24h de St Jo is just such an event.

Taking its inspiration from 24 Heures de le Mans, the oldest car race on earth, 24h de St Jo is a 1:10 scale RC car construction and racing challenge, designed to test the skills of mechanical engineering students and pit high schools against each other in friendly competition but also mutual discovery. To make the project even more interesting, rather than running off a traditional lithium battery the cars utilize Horizon’s H-Cell 2.0 fuel cell system and hybrid integration technology. Students get first hand, in-depth experience of the sustainable technology that is shaping the future of transport.

Needless to say, 24h de St Jo has enjoyed enormous success over its ten years of existence— even garnering attention from the French Minister for transport who later wrote that the French government is eager to invest in sustainable science projects in the future. Such has been the positive response that the organizers are looking to expand the competition across the channel to the UK.

The young engineers at St Jo high school doesn’t only make hybrid cars, however. As part of his introduction to the competition, Monsieur Cuveillier got to see the ‘H-bord’ hybrid RC boat first hand. Again, using Horizon’s H-Cell hobbykit Thierry Maison and his class created a model for real-scale nautical vehicles.

Horizon is delighted to be part of these kind of projects and by way of thanks we sent 24h de St Jo founder Thierry Maison a free i-H2GO to use in his classroom. Our own hydrogen powered RC car works on a similar principle to the amazing vehicles designed by St Jo students, only it’s controlled by an iPhone and includes a refueling station to separate hydrogen from distilled water.

Both the i-H2GO and H-Cell 2.0 are part of the Horizon education range. This is a selection of products that explores different aspect of alternative methods of energy generation. Solar and wind energy sets not only introduce students to the advantages of renewable tech, but also how by combining green solutions we can create self-contained clean energy systems. The salt water fuel cell, ethanol fuel cell and micro fuel cell science kits demonstrate the flexibility and variety of fuel cell technology. Our range of fuel cell RC cars give an insight into both the hydrogen hybrid engine and the H2 fuel station infrastructure, and our hobbykits let advanced students integrate hydride cartridges into their own RC projects.

No doubt we’ll be hearing a lot more about this competition as hydrogen transport becomes a reality across the European Union and increasingly in the US. Ten years ahead of its time, there’s little doubt that 24h de St Jo has a long and healthy future driving forward fuel cell technology through inspiring young engineers.

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Another incredible video of the Horizon powered hybrid hydrogen-electric boat-- made by the crazily talented students at St Jo High School in France.

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Another look at this amazing project from students at St Jo high school in France. A video taken at the local swimming pool of their hydrogen-powered boat that uses Horizon's H-Cell 2.0 hobby kit.

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Another incredible project from Thierry Maison and the students of St Jo High School in France. Using Horizon's H-Cell hobby kit students created this real working miniature hydrogen powered boat.

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Renewable Hydrogen Cycle from Renewables to Applications.

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H-CELL 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell power kit for hobby-grade racing

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Fuel cells or batteries – or BOTH?

We often hear about whether fuel cells will ever make it to market, or why is there such an effort in fuel cells when batteries can do the job better & cheaper - and do it now. Some people will even say fuel cells are the dumbest idea ever. 

At Horizon we believe each energy storage technology is different and has a specific role to play. There is no winner; there is no loser in when it comes to battery - fuel cell confrontation. Both are electrical energy storage devices, and it comes down to the essence of how these different devices work. Batteries can pack a tremendous punch from a very small form-factor compared to a fuel cell. They are also much cheaper, for the power they deliver – and probably always will be. Their charging efficiency is also very high, “why not just charge a battery” is often what we all read or hear about. 

Yes, batteries can deliver lots of power (W) from a small form-factor, but they cannot sustain a very high energy capacity. The reason we see electric cars with so many batteries packed inside, is to enable “range” or increase the power duration (Watts per Hour or Wh). So to understand the difference between fuel cells and batteries, one needs to separate the two concepts of Power (W) and Energy (Wh).

Fuel cells tend to be more expensive for the power they deliver as compared to batteries, and they probably will continue to be. However the amount of energy or power duration (Wh) they can deliver can be significantly better, and also much cheaper.

What we should come away with -- is that batteries should be used to supply high current loads, and fuel cells should not.  

Then there’s the supercapacitor. 

Supercapacitors use a special ‘double layer’ dielectric to store energy. A dielectric is simply a kind of insulator that creates an internal electric field allowing for the storage of electrical energy. In a supercapacitor an electrolyte sits between two conductors. At the point the electrolyte meets the conductor the positive ions of the electrolyte repel the electrons of the conductor creating two layers – one negatively charged and the other positively charged. Between the two layers are ‘polarized’ particles which are perfect for storing large amounts of energy. Supercapacitors can supply between ten and twenty times the power of ordinary batteries and have between ten and a hundred times the energy density.

Such a hybrid configuration is used in Horizon’s latest i-H2GO toy car. Whenever the power demands on the fuel cell grow too much the capacitor steps in to lighten the load. In practice this means that the fuel cell concentrates on providing power when the car travels at a constant speed or when the ‘Speed Lock’ cruise control is engaged, while the supercapacitor handles peak energy needs such as acceleration.

So the capacitor is there to provide a power boost, when the i-H2GOs hydrogen system does not have enough power to accelerate but provides the extra energy capacity that capacitors lack. Because the capacitor is used so sparingly and in such short bursts it’s more than feasible that the charger can be entirely ecofriendly In real-scale vehicles supercapacitors can also generate electricity from the braking energy of the vehicle (regenerative braking), significantly increasing the efficiency of an engine that is already 50% more efficient than gasoline alternatives.

Hybrid vehicles running on a combination of hydrogen and a super capacitor don’t have to be a compromise. Instead hybrids can be a synthesis of two different kinds of sustainable energy working together to create a far more efficient system.

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To inaugurate Horizon Fuel Cell's arrival on Tumbler here's a video of our newest invention: the i-H2GO. An RC car that runs on hydrogen and is controlled by an iPhone or iPad (Android on the way).

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Renewable forms of energy such as photovoltaic cells, wind, hydro, and geothermal are increasingly being used to produce electricity. This electricity can be used for electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.The hydrogen can be used, or stored to generate electricity.

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While Horizon was still in its infancy, a first ultra-light Horizon fuel cell took the skies powering a NASA-backed aerospace research team in California. Later the same team partnered with OSU to set a new FAI world record on distance flight, using another platform and a new fuel cell design. This was the start of Horizon's entry into the pioneering field of electric flight.

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Why Make Hydrogen Powered Toys?

Why make toys or education kits? Why not focus on generating renewable power for our homes and cars and planes that will make the real impact in our quest for a carbon-neutral future? As it happens, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies think it’s just as important to make fun educational products as well as larger utility products. Here’s why …

  Awareness

If the aim is a hydrogen economy then we need to get people talking about hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel cells are ready to power cars, recharge cell phones and provide reliable backup energy. None of this matters if people still think of hydrogen as a volatile, expensive, inefficient energy source. Public outreach is a critical success factor for these technologies.

A toy car that looks good, is fun to play with and teaches a little about hydrogen science is a great way to start significantly changing perceptions. The beauty of having a toy that requires only solar energy and water to charge and can be driven by something as familiar as a smartphone or tablet is that it should get parents and kids thinking about how sensible the whole thing is. Cheap to run, fun to play, educational to charge up.

Suddenly hydrogen technology starts to make a lot of sense.

  Coolness Factor 

The most important thing to say is that the kind of toys you can make with hydrogen technologies are just really, really cool. The i-H2GO is the latest in a line of award winning radio-controlled hydrogen powered cars that manage a difficult balancing act – awesome to play with while packing some serious educational wallop. Kids can discover the principles of electrolysis, fuel cell technology, molecular bonding and all the science that goes into hydrogen generation and application.

Combining this with iPhones, iPads, and, next year, Android devices, is the final piece of the puzzle. Not only does it remove the need for extra remote control batteries, but touchscreen technology looks and feels better. Watch out for the next leap in digital content…it’s right around the corner.

Technology development

Starting small is always a good idea, whatever the endgame. Larger power supplies, electric planes, buses and cars are all part of Horizon’s Fuel Cell’s technology portfolio potential. But one of the best ways to develop a better understanding of the technology of larger, more complex vehicles is to perfect smaller, simpler systems. Some problems are actually easier to manage when they’re scaled down – it’s also easier to see the whole picture, to strip everything down to its essential elements.

Maintaining an innovative toy and education line feeds into the whole range of our products and helps remind us that technology improves every aspect of our lives. It is also the starting point for new technology introduction.

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Horizon's MiniPak - compact fuel cell power supply for your smartphone.

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MINDS-i Fuel Cell Powered Autonomous Rover Demonstration. An amazing demonstration of just what can be achieved with our fuel cell technology.

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The Basics of Hydrogen Generation

                              For most of us chemistry lessons are a dim and distant memory, so an article about the workings of a hydrogen gerator might seem like a horrifying reminder of school days past. In fact, the basic principles behind H2 generation are surprisingly easy to grasp – one of the things that makes hydrogen such a fascinating source of renewable energy. We'll use the refueling station of the i-H2GO as an example of a simple system.

Let's start with a quick recap about water. Water's chemical name is, of course, H2O, which just means two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen. Due to the way these two elements are bonded, the hydrogen atoms have a very slight positive charge while the oxygen carries a slight negative charge. However, as long as the molecules remain bonded the overall charge of water is neutral. Therefore, one of the easiest and cleanest ways to generate hydrogen is just to split water into its component atoms – separate out the hydrogen from the oxygen. This is where the refueling station comes in.

The i-H2GO refueling station us a simplified version of a process that happens on a much larger scale in certain kinds of industrial generators. The key component of the station is the ‘electrolyzer’ – this is the device that separates the hydrogen from the oxygen. A basic electrolyzer consists of: a negative electrode called a cathode, a positive electrode called an anode, a battery to power the electrodes and water with soluble salt.

The principle is straightforward. Once the water is poured in and the battery is switched on, the positively charged hydrogen particles (ions) are attracted to the cathode while the negatively charged oxygen heads for the anode. The reason for the salt is that pure water is a poor conductor of electricity – about one millionth as conductive as salt water. The i-H2GO refueling station uses the exact same principle but has an electrolyzer that’s a little fancier. There are three layers – top and bottom are the anode and the cathode, and in the middle is a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) which replaces the salt solution. The membrane is a fantastic medium for the hydrogen ions to travel through and means we can avoid contaminating the water. However, it also requires a layer of platinum either side of the membrane to act as a catalyst.

The hydrogen builds up around the cathode and quickly its forced through a tube leading from the cathode to the gas chamber under the plunger. As the chamber fills the plunger is pushed upwards. The oxygen leaves the system via the bubble valve, hence the tiny bubbles that emerge when therefueling station is up and running.

So there you have the essential principles behind generating hydrogen from water. Ideally the battery that charges the electrolyzer will itself be charged by renewable energy – the i-H2GO comes with a solar panel for just this reason. Then, every stage of the process is eco-friendly and, more importantly, self-sustaining.