UI, California-based company team up to produce cleaner fuel for vehicles
IOWA CITY, Iowa, CBS2/FOX28 — The University of Iowa is working with California based HyperSolar Inc. in taking steps to help lead the push to reduce air pollution by changing what fuels vehicles using renewable hydrogen.
"Hydrogen is actually the cleanest fuel on Earth when combusted,” said Tim Young, the CEO of Hypersolar, Inc.
It’s for that reason Tim Young is working to produce affordable hydrogen fuel for vehicles.
"Renewable hydrogen is hydrogen that is made from sustainable or renewable resources like sun or wind,” said Young.
Hypersolar, INC. has been working with the University of Iowa for three years to produce pure hydrogen for transportation.
"Hydrogen is being fed into a fuel cell, that fuel cell is creating the electricity, and that electricity is driving that electric engine,” said Young.
The team draws water from the Iowa River into a wireless device made with catalysts within that fuels the reaction between the water and solar energy.
"It also has the ability to oxidize or clean water in the process,” said Young, explaining how the device does more than just help created renewable hydrogen.
One of the reasons the team picked this location is because of the quality coming from the Iowa River.
"The Iowa River water has a lot of organics which makes the process easier,” said Syed Mubeen, the University of Iowa assistant professor helping lead the project.
The river’s water also helps the team tackle larger issues.
"Nitrates are something--a major problem in Iowa and treating nitrates is also a monumental task,” said Mubeen.
Thanks to this project, the team is able to get a hold of the nitrate concern.
"You're treating that particular water and producing hydrogen out of it,” said Mubeen.
The group says they’ve been able to produce more than 300 hours of continuous production that is stable, which brings them one step closer to introducing cleaner fuel for transportation.
"Hopefully one day here in Iowa, we have nothing but hydrogen cars--pure admission,” said Young.
