Sunday, March 27, 2011

H2O Water Powered Car (Reuters)



A Japanese company has invented an electric-powered and environmentally friendly car with an electric engine that runs on water. The basic power generation mechanism of the new system is said to be similar to that of a normal fuel cell. The key to the system is its membrane electrode assembly, which contains a material that's capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction. Genepax, the Japanese company unveiled the 300W eco-friendly car with a demonstration on 13 June 2008 in Osaka, Japan. The cost of the energy generator (not including the car), once it gets into mass production, is said to be about $5,000 (US). The technology is explained in this diagram. The big question is, what is the cost of the the metal hydride that is consumed in the process?