Electrical energy is one of the main sources capable of maintaining various appliances and equipment in working condition. As a result, it is widely used in modern armies of the world. But there are such moments when batteries or generators fail, all electronics are de-energized, and its presence is a matter of life and death. In this scenario, the military can only believe in the Lady Luck. Or not?
Military scientists and engineers recently made a discovery. Researchers have combined nano-galvanic powder, created from aluminum, and water. As a result, the resulting mixture began to behave strangely. The whole snag was an aluminum-based substance that produces a certain amount of energy when it comes into contact with water or a liquid containing the aforementioned H2O, which, as a result of this reaction, is split into compound molecules of oxygen and hydrogen. Earlier studies have been conducted in which aluminum could split and produce hydrogen, but this action was accompanied by the use of the following catalysts:
- Heat;
- Chemical components;
- Electricity.
Now the hydrolysis can be carried out without auxiliary means, and with the help of a miracle powder added to water. The reaction takes place in a matter of minutes and will not make the person who uses this method wait. According to military engineers and scientists at the United States research lab, 1 kilogram of the above aluminum-based powder can produce 220 kilowatts of energy in just 3 minutes.
The team demonstrated a small radio-controlled tank, charged with the above technology. Seconds after mixing the powder with a small amount of water, a well-known reaction takes place - the water begins to boil, producing enough hydrogen, which is later used to power the tank model.
Due to the fact that a 3D printer is able to produce this powder, scientists assume its use in the future on aerial and ground robots, which, after the assignment, will be able to self-destruct. In addition, due to the materials contained in the alloy, such a mixture will not harm the environment. It is not toxic and not dangerous to living organisms.
A team of scientists argues that the laboratory is going to give the opportunity to use such a tool the US military, so that they have the opportunity to get energy if necessary.
"We are all very pleased that this could be a contribution to further types of research, as well as a new way that will generate electricity when it pleases," says researcher Anit Giri.
A powdery alloy can be easily produced in unbelievable quantities, it can be given the desired shape, and also transported in vacuum bags without harm to health and, even more, life.
The next step is to patent the development and further start cooperation with researchers and engineers from other laboratories.
“Now the main task is to find out how clean the gas is, and also to find out the indicators that are related to the production of hydrogen,” says Robert Douding, the head of the team. No less important is the need to study the composite changes that are present in the powder, as well as the microstructure of the alloy.
