Hydrogen storage and generation system
A system for storing and generating hydrogen generally and, in particular, a system for storing and generating hydrogen for use in an H 2 /O 2 fuel cell. The hydrogen storage system uses the beta particles from a beta particle emitting material to degrade an organic polymer material to release substantially pure hydrogen. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, beta particles from 63 Ni are used to release hydrogen from linear polyethylene.
1. A system for generating hydrogen, comprising an organic polymer material in combination with 63 Ni.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organic polymer is an olefinic polymer.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the olefinic polymer material is linear polyethylene.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the 63 Ni is in the form of particles.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the particles are submicron particles.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the 63 Ni in combination with the organic polymer material is present in an amount of at least 1% by volume of the organic polymer.
7. A method for the generation of hydrogen, comprising combining together an organic polymer material and 63 Ni.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the organic polymer is an olefinic polymer.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the olefinic polymer is linear polyethylene.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the 63 Ni is in the form of particles.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the particles are submicron particles.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein an amount of the 63 Ni in combination with the organic polymer material is at least 1% by volume of the organic polymer.
13. A system for generating hydrogen, comprising an organic polymer material in combination with 35 S or 45 Ca.