President Bush stated that alternative energy sources were a
priority of the government during his 2006 State of the Union
address. The anticipated increase in research support in the area
of clean energy research following the address may mean scientists
will be able to make further advances in a field that has garnered
increased attention post-terrorist attacks.
“We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will
increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric
cars, and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen,” Bush
said during the address.
“We’ll also fund additional research in cutting-edge
methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn, but from wood
chips and stalks, or switch grass,” Bush said.
Hydrogen can be harvested from the decomposition of methane or
from water and electricity. The pure hydrogen is then utilized as
an energy carrier.
In gasoline-powered cars the hydrogen is passed through an
internal combustion engine and burned like gasoline. In fuel cell
cars the hydrogen is converted into electricity by fuel cells to
power the electric engine.
“I believe the diversity of energy sources and the
cleanliness of its products of transformation will make it the
eventual solution for our transportation problems for light
vehicles,” said Vasilios Manousiouthakis, chair of the
chemical and biomolecular engineering department.
The only product of electric hydrogen cars is water. Some
hydrogen sources include fossil fuels, coal, nuclear energy, solar
energy, wind and biomass.
Biodiesel, a biodegradable nontoxic biofuel made from vegetable
oils and animal fats, can also be used to power standard internal
combustion engines. It can be combined with low percentages of
petroleum to enhance its performance.
When Rudolf Diesel first invented the diesel engine, he powered
his car with peanut oil. Biodiesel is a regression to this original
use of engine fuel.
“Biodiesel has essentially been proposed as a method to
reduce oil consumption and this is in principle true,”
Manousiouthakis said.
“On the other hand it will retain most of the problems in
large cities regarding poor health quality as a result of products
of incomplete combustion coming out of internal combustion engines.
It’s really not a long-term solution to our problems”
he added.
Brazil has been using ethanol, harvested from sugar cane, as a
fuel source for years. Similar to biodiesel, it reduces air
pollution but still yields some polluting byproducts due to its use
in internal combustion engines.
Both biodiesel and ethanol emit less pollutants than fossil
fuels according to research. Biodiesel is available in most U.S.
states.
“There are critics that say that depending on how hydrogen
is produced, it may produce pollution and that is correct,”
Manousiouthakis said.
“If you produce hydrogen from fossil fuels in a facility
then you can always take steps to alleviate the pollution that may
get produced in that facility.”
Recently, researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of
Engineering and Applied Science developed plastic solar cells that
can be used as an alternative energy source.
The solar cells ““ two conductive electrodes with a film of
plastic in between ““ is less costly than the current
silicon-based solar technology that is used. The lower cost can
make these solar cells more consumer friendly.
“Solar energy is a clean alternative energy source.
It’s clear, given the current energy crisis, that we need to
embrace new sources of renewable energy that are good for our
planet. I believe very strongly in using technology to provide
affordable options that all consumers can put into practice,”
said Yang Yang, professor in the department of material sciences
and engineering, in a press release.
“We hope that ultimately, solar energy can be extensively
used in the commercial sector as well as the private sector.
“Imagine solar cells installed in cars to absorb solar
energy to replace the traditional use of diesel and gas. … Using
the same principle, cell phones can also be charged by solar
energy,” Yang said.
While biodiesel and ethanol fuel sources greatly diminish
pollutants released by gasoline-fueled engines, hydrogen fuel cell
cars release water.
“The only solution at this point on the table that does
not generate harmful byproducts in the cities is hydrogen processed
through a fuel cell car,” Manousiouthakis said.