Some fuel cells are powered by hydrogen. Scientists are looking into the decomposition of water (H2O) to make hydrogen fuel with the help of the Sun’s energy. What challenge do scientists face with this task?

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osprey · Answer

Quite a few, I suspect. The sun's energy can be captured/harnessed by solar panels to produce a voltage and make a current flow. That current can then be used to decompose water - I think it's the Hoffman voltameter, if school memories serves me - into hydrogen and oxygen. Challenges - get enough "sunny days", get a solar panel system that can power the decomposing device, do the whole thing on a scale which produces megawatts if not gigwatts of power, do the whole thing on a large scale, and yet make it cost effective to research and develop, and also attractive enough for investors to invest and that it can be sold at a "reasonable price". Like I said, quite a few, I think. http://perendis.webs.com