CHICAGO — A new method of producing hydrogen gas from biodegradable organic material has been developed, potentially providing an abundant source of clean-burning fuel. The technology offers a way to cheaply and efficiently generate hydrogen from readily available and renewable biomass such as cellulose or glucose, and could be used for powering vehicles, making fertiliser and treating drinking water. Public transport systems Numerous public transportation systems are moving toward hydrogen-powered engines as an alternative to gasoline, but most hydrogen today is generated from non-renewable fossil fuels such as natural gas. The new method developed by engineers at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, U.S., combines electron-generating bacteria and a small electrical charge in a microbial fuel cell to produce hydrogen gas. Microbial fuel cells work through the action of bacteria, which can pass electrons to an anode. The electrons flow from the anode through a wire to the cathode producing an electric current. In the process, the bacteria consume organic matter in the biomass material. An external jolt of electricity helps generate hydrogen gas at the cathode. In the past, the process, which is known as electrohydrogenesis, has had poor efficiency rates and low […]