Tech Briefs
Savannah River National Laboratory
High Capacity Hydrogen Storage Materials
Technology Overview
Scientists at the Savannah River National Laboratory’s (SRNL) Hydrogen Research Center have developed new processes to add metal hydrides to nanocarbon structures to yield high capacity hydrogen storage materials. Testing of these materials has shown that hydrogen can be efficiently absorbed and released in multiple cycles and in significant quantities. Processes to add lithium hydride to fullerenes have resulted in structures that can retain and release significant quantities of hydrogen at lower temperatures and pressure.
At a Glance
- H2 absorption/desorption at 5.0 weight percent
- Significant quantities of H2 at lower temp and pressure
- Storage is reversible
- Patent pending
Background
Hydrofullerenes (C60H60) are theoretical capacity of 7.7 weight percent hydrogen. Previous attempts to load hydrogen to a fullerene structure have been at 6 weight percent. A
disadvantage to hydrofullerenes is that it requires temperatures in excess of 500 degrees celsius to desorb the hydrogen with damage to the fullerene structure. Scientists at SRNL have
developed new processes using metal hydrides to develop materials where the hydrogen can be absorbed and released with greater efficiency.
Partnering Opportunities
SRNL invites interested companies with proven capabilities in this area of expertise to develop commercial applications for this process or product under a cooperative research and development agreement or licensing agreement. Interested companies will be requested to submit a business plan setting forth company qualifications, strategies, activities, and milestones for commercializing this invention. Qualifications should include past experience at bringing similar products to market, reasonable schedule for product launch, sufficient manufacturing capacity, established distribution networks, and evidence of sufficient financial resources for product development and launch.
Download Tech Brief
Contact Information
Savannah River National Laboratory
E-mail: partnerships@srnl.doe.gov