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Scientists have known for a long time that hydrogen can be produced by adding a catalyst (a substance that increases a chemical reaction rate) to aluminum. But these methods take time, elevated temperature, added electricity, and/or toxic chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or acid."In our case, it does not need a catalyst," Giri said. "Also, it is very fast. For example, we have calculated that one kilogram of aluminum powder can produce 220 kilowatts of energy in just three minutes."That metric doubles if you consider the amount of heat energy produced by the exothermic reaction, he said.
Now what's the catch?
I notice the article does not mention cost, energy required to produce, or the life span of the aluminum nanomaterial.
Army discovery may offer new energy sourceBy David McNally, ARL Public AffairsJuly 25, 2017ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Army scientists and engineers recently made a groundbreaking discovery -- an aluminum nanomaterial of their design produces high amounts of energy when it comes in contact with water, or with any liquid containing water.During routine materials experimentation at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, a team of researchers observed a bubbling reaction when adding water to a nano-galvanic aluminum-based powder.https://www.army.mil/article/191212/army_discovery_may_offer_new_energy_source
Some prototype hydrogen-generating systems use metal materials such as magnesium hydride, aluminum, or zinc to react with water. The compounds don’t require light, catalysts, or heat to push the reactions along. But these materials often react slowly, which isn’t ideal for applications that need a quick burst of electrical power.
