A Canadian firm has been granted a patent for a way of generating low-cost hydrogen from common water feedstock for use in fuel cells - a process which it also claims eliminates degradation of platinum group metals (pgms) in the catalytic conversion process.

The method has been developed by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, which has since licensed the patent to Phoenix Canada Oil's US division, the National Post reports.

Phoenix's technology works through harnessing solar light energy and converting it to hydrogen through a catalyst containing pgms and other materials.

Donald Moore, President of Phoenix, said: "It is the same principle as photosynthesis where the plants take water out of the air and convert it into hydrogen and oxygen."

The patent grants Phoenix "exclusive, worldwide, long-term commercialisation rights to the technology and subsequent improvements deriving from the ongoing research and development program".

Phoenix has since held discussions with Tata group of India, Petro-China and government energy officials in Alberta.

Source:

Hydrogen future not just hot air, 26/10/07
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=ecb714a7-9be8-4f86-8c60-3bb0f3c9bfb9

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