Badgering-the-Government-over-the-proposed-culling

Badger Cubs

Good Morning,

Its all very well me telling you how disgusted I am at the proposed Badger cull in England, my sentiments are not being heard by those ignorant and ill advised decision makers!

Do you have a call to action plan or is it a simple matter of creating more public awareness?

I am of the opinion that we are fighting on two fronts at the same time here namely;
1. The great unwashed ignoramus
2. The blood-thirsty barbarians


The decision makers, our Government, are push-over's when it comes to listening to advice, sadly its the wrong advice they are taking on board, influenced perhaps by the cheapest option proposed by the Farmers lobby, that of - shooting Badgers!
They are also influenced by votes and that is their Achilles heel. Public opinion is already miffed by the austerity cuts imposed upon them, so too is the general consensus of a cull being a little unsavoury.

I am no expert in political matters, but I am an environmentalist and care deeply for the welfare of animals. If Inoculation works then it should be pursued at whatever cost. The analogy for negotiation and peace talks to end or prevent hostility with the enemy, saving lives should be our priority!

We have persecuted animals for far too long, lets not give the barbarians aka "badger-baiter's" a licence to kill. Killing is seen as the cheapest way to eradicate a problem and "sporty", it is simply wrong and irresponsible, an unnecessary act of cruelty and superiority over another blameless animal.

These are our native badgers, they are not some alien species that threaten our way of life, they are a protected species and have a right to be protected. Tuberculosis is a curable bacterial infection.

They live in our country quietly going about their business while giving joy to anyone who encounters them, they have a right to exist. If any badgers have been unfortunate enough to catch bovine TB from cattle, they deserve to be vaccinated just like you and I. Let’s not forget, this is bovine TB, it’s the cattle that are spreading the disease, not the badgers.

I'm sure many will share my horror at the ineptitude of these politicians. Let's join together and badger them!

Regards
Chris Wilson


For more information please visit: http://www.savethebadger.com

Vitamin A deficiency has killed 8 million kids in the last 12 years. Help is finally on the way!

Finally, after a 12-year delay caused by opponents of genetically modified foods, so-called “golden rice” with vitamin A will be grown in the Philippines.

Over those 12 years, about 8 million children worldwide died from vitamin A deficiency.
Are anti-GM advocates not partly responsible?

Golden rice is the most prominent example in the global controversy over GM foods, which pits a technology with some risks but incredible potential against the resistance of feel-good campaigning.

Three billion people depend on rice as their staple food, with 10 percent at risk for vitamin A deficiency, which, according to the World Health Organization, causes 250,000 to 500,000 children to go blind each year. Of these, half die within a year. A study from the British medical journal the Lancet estimates that, in total, vitamin A deficiency kills 668,000 children under the age of 5 each year.

Yet, despite the cost in human lives, anti-GM campaigners—from Greenpeace to Naomi Klein—have derided efforts to use golden rice to avoid vitamin A deficiency. In India, Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist and adviser to the government, called golden rice “a hoax” that is “creating hunger and malnutrition, not solving it.”

Golden rice (right) compared to white rice (left)

 

Golden rice is a variety of Oryza sativa rice produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of rice. The research was conducted with the goal of producing a fortified food to be grown and consumed in areas with a shortage of dietary vitamin A which is estimated to kill 670,000 children under 5 each year.

Golden rice differs from its parental strain by the addition of three beta-carotene biosynthesis genes. The scientific details of the rice were first published in Science in 2000, the product of an eight-year project by Ingo Potrykus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Peter Beyer of the University of Freiburg. At the time of publication, golden rice was considered a significant breakthrough in biotechnology, as the researchers had engineered an entire biosynthetic pathway.

In 2005, a new variety called Golden Rice 2, which produces up to 23 times more beta-carotene than the original golden rice, was announced. Although golden rice was developed as a humanitarian tool, it has met with significant opposition from environmental and anti-globalization activists.

Most ironic is the self-fulfilling critique that many activists now use. Greenpeace calls golden rice a “failure,” because it “has been in development for almost 20 years and has still not made any impact on the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency.” But, as Ingo Potrykus, the scientist who developed golden rice, has made clear, that failure is due almost entirely to relentless opposition to GM foods—often by rich, well-meaning Westerners far removed from the risks of actual vitamin A deficiency.

Too much in advance of today's needs?

Not soon enough in my opinion!
Its kind of sad really, all those people that have now died from a lack of vitamin A because of the ignorance of the so called 'do-gooders' aka environmental and anti-globalization activists.

Exercise caution by all means by conducting tests to prove or disprove the health and safety of the consumers, protect neighbouring crops from accidental cross pollination if indeed that's the concern, but to be ignorant of the possibilities that will help save millions of lives is a step backwards not forwards.

Thankfully common sense has prevailed.

What every angler and fish in the world has been waiting for!

What type of angler are you?

Maybe you enjoy sea angling, carp or coarse angling or indeed trout and salmon fishing or maybe more that one type, maybe all of them given the opportunity if your lucky?

Each type employs different tackle and tactics by the angler, but what baits do all these different types of fishing have in common? Surely one bait does not fit all.... or does it?



Welcome to the world of fish, and fishing with just one bait that all (most) fish species will naturally eat - no matter where you fish for them beit in the lake, river, stream, creek, lagoon or sea - literally anywhere in the world = SPAWN!

Recently a company in the United Kingdom has developed what is claimed to be the worlds first synthetic spawn designed to be hooked as a fish bait suitable for thousands of species all over the world!
If like most people you have never heard or thought about fishing with spawn (and lets face it you are not alone here), it is actually a great method, true and not as it might first seem a novelty type bait but a devastating bait that fish have been gorging themselves on for millions of years!

There are two versions of spawn available namely; Aqua-SPAWN™ for use on freshwater and SEASPAWN™ for sea fishing. Both types are supplied as tiny beads made of a synthetic material of natural ingredients (not rubber or plastic) that you add liquid to and flavour yourself causing them to rapidly expand (pot noodle?) to a hook-able size in around 1-2 hours. They have a shelf-life of 10+ years and because they are synthetic will not go off and can be dehydrated and rehydrate many times over!

Fantastic? You bet!
Both spawn products are remarkable and they have accounted for some very good catches, but what strikes me mostly is that each of them have a little embryo inside too!

Now that really is just fantastic, just what every angler and fish in the world has been waiting for!

Visit LAGUNA FP for more information

Facebook marketing insider secrets!

Facebook marketing insider secrets!

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Thought I might share this info with you guys...

Do you already have a page?
Maybe thinking of using Facebook marketing for your business but don't know where to start?

# How to find demographic information on Facebook
# Facebook Ads creation page/tool: self-serve and engagement ads.
# Find out how many people match your target demographic
# How to create a Facebook reveal tab
# Facebook Page application: Static FBML
# Post Images & Videos
# Facebook Social Plugins
# Facebook Promotions via contents and giveaways

The ads creation/page tool:
Estimates about the number of people on Facebook that match a given interest, gender, age, relationships status, and more.

If you have paid for Facebook ads, you will be able to access your campaign reports (found here). From that area you should access the “Responder Demographics” report.

While the data is not necessarily updated daily, the information provided via the Facebook Ads creation page (found via http://www.facebook.com/ads/create) is priceless.

With a little bit of HTML knowledge and the Static FBML application, you can bring your Facebook Page to the next level.

Host promotional scavenger hunts, in which users are rewarded with free items as they check in to various places around a city or neighbourhood
Integrated Facebook Places into your marketing strategy (see here)

Facebook Promotions

The other type of promotion which has been extremely effective is contents and giveaways on Facebook Pages. These sorts of contests help drive engagement and also help pages acquire new fans quickly. While Facebook has restrictions on how promotions can take place from within Facebook Pages, there are numerous companies who are currently providing services to enable promotions and giveaways. Check out Wildfire and Involver for more details.
Keep in mind that all promotional activities must follow Facebook’s promotional guidelines (found here).



Facebook Social Plugins



Facebook has a number of social plugins to help out those companies which have a company website or blog. By using the like button, the fan box, and other social plugins, companies can dramatically increase engagement on their site and traffic. While there are numerous social plugins (found here), the three most important are the like button, fan box, and recent activity plugin. For a complete guide to leveraging these and the benefits of social proof provided by Facebook social plugins, check out this article.
All Facebook Marketing Terms

The Facebook marketing dictionary. It’s the ultimate resource for all the terms you need to know.

You may thank me if you want

Good luck in your campaigns

Proposed Methanol/Methoxide recovery from the glycerol/byproduct layer

Proposed Methanol/Methoxide recovery from the glycerol/byproduct layer.
Because Methanol/Methoxide in the precipitate (glycerol/byproduct layer) boils at lower temperatures than water, and a vacuum lowers the required boiling temperature of all liquids.
Maybe this can be used as the basis of Methanol/Methoxide recovery from the glycerol/byproduct layer.
This is possible in theory and the vacuum can also be produced at the same time in the washing process using the venturi.
The venturi creates a vacuum by sucking in air, so the air can be exchanged from the vacuum flask and bubbled into the reactor at the same time.

About Protons | What is a Proton?

Protons are particles that are held together with neutrons by nuclear forces in order to create an atomic nucleus. All atomic particles have a particular spin that affects their movement, among other things, and for protons this spin is -1/2.

Protons themselves are made up even smaller particles called quarks.
There are up and down quarks and the proton is composed of two ups and one down.
They are held to each other by tiny subatomic particles called gluons"

Atoms consist of Protons, Electrons and Neutrons.
Protons have a "POSITIVE" (+) charge and Electrons have a "NEGATIVE" (-) charge while Neutrons have a "NEUTRAL" charge.

Dextrin - What is it used for?

Dextrin (C6H10O5)n
Dextrin can be bought, but it is very easy to make.
Cornflour when heated to the right temperature changes to dextrin - it's that simple.
My method is to put a 1/2" layer of cornflour in a metal baking tray and place it in a hot oven (200 degrees Centigrade) for about 2 hours. Stir it around every 1/2 hour or so to ensure it's all cooked.
After 2 hours, it should have changed from white to light yellow. If it goes brown or black, the oven is too hot!
A little experimentation may be required until you have got a good idea of the temperature of your oven - they do vary.
In theory if you add a little of your product to some water with a crystal of iodine in it, it should not turn blue. This is a test for starch, and all the starch should have been converted to dextrin.
In practice I have never bothered with this and the dextrin has done it's job perfectly.
Yellow dextrins are used as water-soluble glues in remoistable envelope adhesives and paper tubes, in the mining industry as additives in froth flotation, in the foundry industry as green strength additives in sand casting, and as binders in gouache paint.
White dextrins are used as:
* as crispness enhancer for food processing, in food batters, coatings and glazes,
* as textile finishing agent to increase weight and stiffness of textile fabrics,
* as thickening and binding agent in pharmaceuticals and paper coating formulations.
As pyrotechnic binder and fuel, they are added to fireworks and sparklers, allowing them to solidify as pellets or "stars."
Due to the rebranching, dextrins are less digestible; indigestible dextrin are developed as soluble fiber supplements for food products.
Dextrin added to water forms a sticky gum used as a food thickener.
White and yellow dextrins from starch roasted with little or no acid is called British gum.

Hydrogen production using Radiowaves

Decomposition of water by radiowaves

Using radiofrequency radiation it is possible to produce hydrogen from water-salt solutions (NaCl-H20) and seawater by chemical decomposition.

When exposed to a polarized radiofrequency beam at 13.56 MHz at room temperature, NaCl–H2O solutions of concentrations ranging from 1 to 30% generate an intimate mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

Radiofrequency radiation makes sodium ions in saltwater-solution vibrate, and due to van der Waals force the oxygen atoms of water molecules will also vibrate, resulting in separation of hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Whether this novel method is economically competitive is yet to be resolved. This method of separating hydrogen and oxygen from water was discovered in 2007 by John Kanzius experimenting with water desalinization, and it was first confirmed by Penn State research group lead by Professor Rustum Roy.

The CURE for Athletes foot

Athlete's foot, caused by the fungus Tinea pedis, is the reddish, cracked, flaky skin seen usually between the toes. It thrives in warm, moist places and is contagious. It can be contracted through contact with infected skin particles at home in the bathroom or in public places like locker rooms, showers or around public swimming pools.

It is a common, persistent infection of the foot caused by a dermatophyte - a microscopic fungus that lives on dead tissue of the hair, toenails and outer skin layers. These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments such as shoes, stockings, and the floors of public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Athlete's foot is transmitted through contact with a cut or abrasion on the bottom surface of the foot. In rare cases, the fungus is transmitted from infected animals to humans. There are at least four dermatophytes that can cause tineas pedis. The most common is Trichophyton rubrum.

There are four common forms of athlete's foot.
The most common is an annoying, persistent itching of the skin on the sole of the foot or between the toes (often the fourth and fifth toes). As the infection progresses, the skin grows soft. The centre of the infection is inflamed and sensitive to the touch. Gradually, the edges of the infected area become milky white and the skin begins to peel. There may also be a slight watery discharge.

In the ulcerative type, the peeling skin becomes worse. Large cracks develop in the skin, making the patient susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. The infection can be transmitted to other parts of the body by scratching, or contamination of clothing or bedding.

The third type of tinea infection is often called "moccasin foot." In this type, a red rash spreads across the lower portion of the foot in the pattern of a moccasin. The skin in this region gradually becomes dense, white, and scaly.

The fourth form of tinea pedis is inflammatory or vesicular, in which a series of raised bumps or ridges develops under the skin on the bottom of the foot, typically in the region of the metatarsal heads. Itching is intense and there is less peeling of the skin.

People with acute tinea infections may develop similar outbreaks on their hands, typically on the palms. This trichophyde reaction, also known as tineas manuum, is an immune system response to fungal antigens (antibodies that fight the fungal infection).

Fungal infections are controlled by the skins PH levels.
Fungal infections thrive in warm, slightly acidic and moist environments.
Athletes foot is slightly acidic in nature and cannot survive well in Alkali or a base solution. Therefore the effective treatment should be to change the PH levels of the affected areas of skin with the application of an Alkaline based solution such as a foot soak, consisting of a weak solution of 5 litres of warm water with half cup of Sodium hypochlorite (Bleach) or 5 litres of warm water mixed with 1 heaped teaspoon of Potassium hydroxide (KOH). Both feet should be soaked in the solution for 15 minutes daily for up to 7 days to eradicate the fungal growth and prevent spreading to other areas.

Fungal nail growth
This treatment also cures fungal nail growth as it penetrates deep into the areas where traditional medication ointments treat only the surface layers of skin.

It is recommended that the dilute solutions do not exceed the strengths as suggested above, as it will readily burn and damage sensitive skin.
As with all treatments, you should seek independent advice from a physician. Always consult your Doctor if you take medications or suffer from any other ailments as treatment may interfere with your current treatments and/or cause additional problems.

Your skin will feel slimy to the touch after treatment with Alkaline based solutions which will aid greatly in your pedicure treatment and exfoliation.

Process for the production of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol) - US Patent 4820767 Description

Process for the production of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol) - US Patent 4820767 Description

Poly(vinyl alcohol) is conventionally produced in a two-step process. In the first step of the process, vinyl acetate is polymerized to produce poly(vinyl acetate). In the second step, the poly(vinyl acetate) is subjected to alcoholysis(methanolysis or ethanolysis) in order to convert the poly(vinyl acetate) to poly(vinyl alcohol).

Hydrogen is the "Perfect" fuel - Period!

Hydrogen is the "Perfect" fuel as most would agree, but we still have a little way to go!

The solution to the so called hydrogen economy should not be defeatist or dismissive in our thought processes of finding a solution - that is just plain wrong.

Hydrolysis
It has been said that the hydrolysis of water is too inefficient and to that I would agree, but only in part.

Fossil Fuels
It is also true and accepted that deriving hydrogen from hydrocarbons is not very 'Green' even with modern sequestration techniques. Also this method would still require the use of hydrocarbons in some form or other, albeit 'indirectly'.

Fuel Cells
The fuel cell is the way forward and the only thing required is to develop an efficient and cost effective means of producing the hydrogen. Preferably not using hydrocarbons in the process.

Storage and Distribution
Storage of hydrogen is futile and dangerous and will readily pass right through its own container (no matter what materials you use) as it is the smallest of all atoms.

Production insitu is the sensible way forward - utilised as required on-board.

The Solution
The process starts with the hydrolysis of water to produce hydrogen/oxygen but continuing with this would be very inefficient.
Better to use hydrolysis as a 'kick-start' in a series of processes and using the resulting hydrogen to drive a separate process.

Is that too vague for you?
You have all the necessary ingredients right there!
WATER and ELECTRICITY

Imagine it,
Now use your head and find the solution.

I have, or at least theoretically so!

Is Hydrogen better for the Environment?

It has been suggested that hydrogen is better for the environment but not necessarily better for fuel economy. That is because the majority of hydrogen is produced directly from hydrocarbons and has serious consequences - just as we currently have now by burning hydrocarbons (oil derivatives) directly in our vehicles.
A home made hydrolysis system can be constructed cheaply that produces a small quantity of hydrogen/oxygen from water and the resulting gasses passed directly into the intake air manifold of your car which is said to improve your fuel economy, but research suggests the engine may run hotter and timing issues will cause knocking.

Should we change over to an hydrogen economy?

Yes as should the whole world over, but with the reservation that storage of hydrogen is not the answer, actually it is futile and dangerous to even consider it see here:
http://knol.google.com/k/christopher-martin-wilson/hydrogen-storage-is-not-the-answer-to-a/41kg49i9tztg/4

Apart from some on-site hydrogen generation/insitu, the hydrogen economy is best directed and steered towards self sufficiency. In other words it will be a do-it-yourself proposal but unfortunately until we all switch over from hydrocarbons the oil companies will do everything in their power to prevent it which will ultimately lead to higher and higher oil prices for those few remaining willing or having to buy it from them.

Nano-titanite batteries - The Electric Car power solution

Nanosafe batteries (made by Altairnano) replaced the graphite in the anode electrode with nano-titanate.
This change gives them vastly better numbers. We're talking batteries that can be charged in less than 10 minutes, have a power density of 4,000 W/Kg, and can retain 85% of their charge after 15,000 - 20,000 charge cycles. Combine this with a wider operating temperature range (between -50 to 75 degrees C) than standard li-ion batteries, expected life of 12-20 years (depending on use) and batteries that have not smoked or caught fire in any of the standard battery tests, and you've got a battery with great potential for automotive use.

They claim instantaneous power even at extreme temperatures, can deliver power per unit weight and unit volume several times that of conventional Lithium-Ion batteries.

They powered the world record beating EV dragster driven by Dennis Berube in Tucson Arizona on December 30th 2007, during which he achieved a top speed of over 160mph in under 8 seconds.

The UK Lightning car company http://www.lightningcarcompany.co.uk uses this technology.
There are no gearboxes, differential, axle, drive shafts or propshafts to contend with. All of the power is generated at the wheel, the point at which it's required, which eliminates mechanical complexity and power losses. It also uses regenerative braking which doesn't create friction and useless heat in order to slow down. Instead it reverses its electric motor turning it into an electric generator, creating electricity which is fed back into the battery pack.

Need more Ejaculate?

More ejaculate:

Search terms: "lack of seminal fluid", testosterone booster, Nitric Oxide NO),

Testosterone
helps your body produce more semen, and release more Nitric Oxide (NO) for dilation of arteries for erection.

Oestrogen
helps your sex organ tissues trap more water and increase the ejaculation fluid and dilate the arteries for erection.

Generally Speaking, the ejaculation contains three secretion fluids:
sperm (10%) from the ductus deferens and epididymis,
seminal fluid (60%) from semenial vesicles and;
prostate fluid (30%) from the prostate.

The seminal fluid is yellowish and viscous.
The prostate fluid is milky.
Your first ejaculation, your semen is yellowish, as it is supposed to be.
The 2nd ejaculation is lightly milky, because of a lack of seminal fluid, the Prostate fluid outweighing the seminal fluid.

Nitric Oxide – what is it?

Nitric oxide is a colourless, free radical gas commonly found in tissues of all mammals (it’s also prepared commercially by passing air through an electric arc). Biologically, nitric oxide has been shown to be an important neuro-messenger in a number of vertebrate signal transduction processes. Nitric oxide is used in medical treatment; for example, nitroglycerin ameliorates the pain of angina by supplying nitric oxide to the blood vessels that supply the heart.

Glycerol can also be used as a bodybuilding supplement to increase nitric oxide (NO) uptake in the muscles and act in a similar way to the amino acid arginine to create swelling in the working muscle for the individual

The popular drug Viagra controls erection by regulating nitric oxide in the penile cartilage chamber.

In humans, a high-salt intake has long been known to generally raise blood pressure, especially in certain individuals. However, it was demonstrated to attenuate nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide (NO) contributes to vessel homeostasis by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle contraction and growth, platelet aggregation, and leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium.

Clomifene (Use in Bodybuilding:)
is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), increasing production of gonadotropins by inhibiting negative feedback on the hypothalamus. It is used mainly for ovarian stimulation in female infertility due to anovulation (e.g. due to polycystic ovary syndrome).

Clomifene is commonly used by male anabolic steroid users to bind the estrogen receptors in their bodies, thereby blocking the effects of estrogen, such as gynecomastia. It also restores the body's natural production of testosterone. It is commonly used as a "recovery drug" and taken toward the end of a steroid cycle. Some users report that taking Clomid increases the amount of fluid produced during ejaculation.

Are Electric Cars Possible?

YES!
Electric cars are the solution but for two major problems as far as I can
see.

1. Energy Production

2. Energy Storage

1. Energy production (generating electricity) is imminent as I have determined using a unique generating method which DOES NOT involve hydrocarbons (fossil fuels) or nuclear fuels. Neither does it involve wind, solar, geothermal or any other cited renewables.
If your thinking bio-fuels, you would be wrong.

I am developing a system of renewable energy using hydrogen but not as a combustible, rather the system is closed-loop without exhaust (not even water) and without huge energy input.
It is not electrolysis either -just so you have something else to eliminate, but I cannot disclose it without compromising the project so you will have to wait for the announcement (imminent)

2. On-board storage is a major obstacle if we are to get acceptable mileages out of our cars.
The system I'm working on would allow you to independently generate all the electricity
you require at home for much less than any other current single fuel cost/energy provider.
Not only would it allow you to power your home (TV, Microwave, Lighting etc.) but it is a dual purpose co-generating system providing both heat and electricity for around 0.003p per kWh.

Plug in your car to the wall outlet (AC) using an inverter to DC to recharge your batteries. Battery technology/fuel cells are not yet at the storage capacity or sizes/weights where you can make your journey practical, but at least my results show I have solved the first problem - Energy production.


PS. This is the point where I get loads of negative comments?
Until I show a repeatable demonstration with numbers to back up the
project... it is only to be expected.

Impermeable Membrane Design Considerations

Suggestions for materials used for the design of a membrane/separator without using noble metals or catalyst.
A hydrogen and oxygen gas impermeable membrane spaced between the cathode plate and anode plate.

This membrane would be used for electrolysis of water.


Factors to be considered in designing the separator

The considerations that are important may influence the selection of the separator include the following:

# Electronic insulator
# Minimal electrolyte (ionic) resistance
# Mechanical and dimensional stability
# Sufficient physical strength to allow easy handling
# Chemical resistance to degradation by electrolyte, impurities, and electrode reactants and products
# Effective in preventing migration of particles or colloidal or soluble species between the two electrodes
# Readily wetted by electrolyte
# Permeable/impermeable to gas molecules or selective based on molecular size
# Uniformity in thickness
# Flexibility or rigidity
# Porosity
# weight


Separator types:

# microporous films
# woven
# nonwovens
# ion exchange membranes
# supported liquid membranes
# solid polymer electrolytes
# solid ion conductors
# bonded/laminates
# solid and gelled electrolyte/separator combined


My research has led me to believe that Nonwovens are widely utilized as separators for several types of batteries (NiCd’s) which are not dissimilar, comparable with a water electrolysis cell using a Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) or Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) electrolyte solution.
For example lightweight, wet laid nonwovens made from cellulose, poly(vinyl alcohol), and other fibers have achieved considerable success as separators for popular primary alkaline cells of various sizes.
The key nonwoven attributes include consistently uniform basis weight, thickness, porosity and resistance to degradation by electrolytes.

I plan to make use of some high quality fabric Nonwoven roofing sheet (pin-holed) impregnated with PVA to allow ionic transfer but which should also be impermeable to Oxygen.

Any thoughts?

Fuel Cell design with breathable - conductive membrane without Platinum catalyst

Cell casting under vacuum with glass sheets producing less than 0.5 micron thick graphite coating onto modified PTFE substrate is comparable to that of fuel cells using a Platinum catalyst.

Tests have shown that by using the membrane at elevated ambient temperatures of 170oC and a voltage range of 120-200 VDC pulsed (quenched), acts as both electrode and catalyst and is comparable to similar tests undertaken with Platinum and other noble metals at lower temperatures.

This new doped material allows O2 exchanges from water vapour (steam) but is totally impervious to water droplets in the process.

The new fuel cell design allowed ionic exchanges through the membrane for 24 hours continuous with water as the fuel source.

Further tests are required to increase and collect oxygen from water using pure nickel electrodes in a simultaneous process wherein a potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte has shown to produce pure oxygen at the cathode thereby providing a higher volume of hydrogen in the presence of the new membrane at the anode. The reverse is also true as with the graphite coated membrane/electrode above, which also produces clean oxygen at the anode without reversing polarity.

Hydrogen storage is not the answer to a hydrogen economy

Storing gaseous or liquid hydrogen in containers is difficult, dangerous and futile.

The hydrogen economy is far from realisation due to some scientists and engineers insisting upon overcoming these technical problems.
Unfortunately hydrogen storage has no place in the hydrogen economy we are seeking but for a few on-site facilities where it is both produced and used directly or, converted to electricity at source and distributed through the national grid.
The answer lies not with storage but on-site and insitu production.

Read more >

What is a fuel cell?

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device that takes stored chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy directly.

In the presence of an electrolyte (which also acts as the reactant separator) and electrodes (which act as the catalyst), a fuel cell produces electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and oxygen. The current is collected externally at the bipolar plates.

A battery has all its chemicals stored inside it, and it too converts those chemicals into electricity but unlike a fuel cell, batteries eventually "go dead" through depletion and have to be either discarded or recharged.

With a fuel cell however, chemicals constantly flow into the cell so it never goes dead. A continuous replenishment of fuel into the cell, provides near continuous electrical production. Most fuel cells in use today use hydrogen and oxygen as the chemicals and as such, the conversion of fuel into electricity via the electrochemical process is considered clean, quiet and highly efficient typically two to three times more efficient than combustion.

In addition to low, zero or near zero emissions, other benefits include high efficiency and reliability, multi-fuel capability, scalability and ease of maintenance. Fuel cells operate quietly, so they reduce noise pollution as well as air pollution and the waste heat from a fuel cell can be used to provide hot water or space heating for a home or office.

Many combinations of fuel and oxidant are possible. A hydrogen cell uses hydrogen as fuel and oxygen as oxidant. Other fuels include hydrocarbons and alcohols. Other oxidants include air, chlorine and chlorine dioxide etc.

The Hydrogen economy - By Default

How many times does something have to be rediscovered?

This is a real life experience for many individuals, industry and other organisations within their respected academic and experimental capacities to pursue technology and a costly one.

It is far less apparent in industry with huge teams of researchers and managers with seemingly large resources than it is for the individual or small group, but the problem of rediscovery exists at all levels.

Technology perpetually feeds itself in a particular area but cannot encourage growth or provide potential to other areas which may be applicable without publication or demonstration (sharing). This is true in both specialised areas of scientific research and basic research at all levels.

Hydrogen and our understanding of it as a propulsion technology - as in the case of rocket fuels, and our fear of it as an explosion (as in the Hindenburg explosion) caused the scientific community and others to abandon it as a viable fuel primarily for safety reasons but partly because of other emerging "safe" technologies at the time with the emerging alternatives as hydrocarbons, ethanol/oxygen and because it was less technologically taxing.

Abandonment of hydrogen has been historically a recurring problem. Many theorists and researchers had considered using hydrogen as a fuel but had failed in the pioneering days to produce it in significant quantities, contain it without acceptable evaporative losses/leeching and later to safely exploit its use as a fuel significantly, especially in an ideal mix ratio: H2/O2 (2:1). The widespread fear of hydrogen in modern society, probably originates with the well known disaster of the Hindenburg dirigible and reinforced by the H-bomb. Proponents of hydrogen however thankfully overcame that prejudice (hydrogen-fuelled rockets are now a reality). Other technologies are undoubtedly ignored today simply because of the same bias against certain materials or processes. Supposedly in part through ignorance and preconceptions through histories prior abandonment, but also with a certain unwillingness to overcome those technological barriers through fear of failure. This fear of history repeating itself might account for the lack of sharing of information and consideration of postulation by others. Engineers and scientists, just like the rest of us remain conditioned; we need to be reminded occasionally to take a fresh look and approach old attitudes and familiar procedures without fear of ridicule or scepticism.

The author hereby empathises with the often conflicting roles of the individual researcher or experimenter, who originates ideas and concepts and that of the group or organisation which manages/oversees today's complex hydrogen technology. Many worthwhile ideas have undoubtedly been lost, at least temporarily, because individuals were unable to convince managers and academia without specific articulation, language or expression. Consensus is achieved within groups by appointed engineers and scientists often with one or more individuals pulling rank or seniority. When agreement seems impossible in such a situation, an individual is occasionally bold and arguably wise enough, to forego his preferred solution, so that a project may continue unhindered. In this regard, timing is critical. If the individual does not argue his ideas effectively or hard enough, he is seen as indecisive and unconvincing; but if he forcefully and frustratingly makes his case he is obstinate.

The decision to use liquid hydrogen/Oxygen in the upper stages of the Saturn launch vehicles cites many accounts of individual/group interactions from which any individual and decision maker alike can profit.

It is true that a hydrogen economy is far from becoming a reality - short term, and I concur with those who state that we cannot employ the same methods used to propel rockets in our cars. But until we start collaborative efforts at all levels, and by ignoring our fears and readdressing at least some old technologies even to affirm or substantiate claims will we ever see it happen.

Authors note:
I have purposely made reference here to "old technologies" as a precursor to the consideration of using particular "forgotten technologies" which through experimentation with the old and the newly emerging technologies, will publish in due course. However to substantiate my findings it will be necessary to provide constructive argument to current and emerging technologies with emphasis on certain known limitations without being outright dismissive. The old technologies with which I propose are to be merged with the new as these will be proven and substantiated as; viable and complimentary.

I welcome your comments.