New Atlas

Aircraft Audio available

NASA backs development of cryogenic hydrogen system to power all-electric aircraft

David Szondy May 17, 2019

NASA is funding a project to develop an aircraft that runs on a cryogenic hydrogen fuel cell system. Under a US$6 million contract, the CHEETA program will investigate the technology needed to produce a practical all-electric design to replace conventional fossil fuel propulsion systems.

Artist's rendering of an advanced commercial transport aircraft concept utilizing CHEETA systems

Automotive Audio available

Toyota unveils latest heavy-duty electric fuel-cell truck to haul cargo around LA

David Szondy April 22, 2019

The latest version of Toyota's zero-emissions fuel-cell powered tractor truck was unveiled today in Los Angeles. The Fuel Cell Electric heavy-duty Truck (FCET) that runs on hydrogen and produces only water as waste is intended to meet or exceed the performance of a conventional diesel truck.

The 2019 Portal Project FCET is based on the earlier Alpha and Beta trucks

Automotive

Grove launches as all-hydrogen auto brand with Pininfarina-penned concept sedan

Loz Blain April 17, 2019

With the release of a Pininfarina-styled concept car at Auto Shanghai, this Wuhan-based automotive startup is putting all its eggs in the Hydrogen basket, with a plan to release something for the road within 8 months on the way to building a portfolio of Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Designed by Pininfarina, Grove's first concept heralds a range of Hydrogen-powered cars

Automotive

800-horsepower electric supercar hopes to usher in the methanol fuel cell age

Loz Blain March 13, 2019

Roland Gumpert, of Audi Quattro and Apollo fame, has put forth a supercar that solves the problem of limited electric range and slow charging. The 800-horsepower, all wheel drive Nathalie uses a cheaply refuellable methanol fuel cell to charge its batteries as you drive.

The Nathalie electric supercar uses a methanol fuel cell as a range extender

Aircraft Audio available

Intelligent Energy claims new endurance record for hydrogen-powered multicopters

Loz Blain January 10, 2019

This fuel cell-powered coaxial octacopter just stayed aloft for 70 minutes of continuous flight, while carrying a 5kg (11-pound) weight. The record demonstrates the flight endurance capabilities of hydrogen-powered electric aircraft.

Intelligent Energy's drone, powered by 6 liters of compressed hydrogen and a fuel cell, flew for ...

Automotive

Water-stabilized hydrogen fuel promises twice the range of gasoline at half the price, with zero tailpipe emissions

Loz Blain December 2, 2018

Israeli-Australian company Electriq Global's new technology stabilizes hydrogen in a recyclable liquid that can be pumped and transported just like gasoline. That's huge, because it enables long-range electric driving with fast refueling – and it plugs right into the existing fuel logistics model.

Electriq-Global, an Israeli-Australian company, claims it's invented a new fuel that combines the best aspects of ...

Energy

Alloy nanoparticles cut cost of platinum and increase life of hydrogen fuel cells

David Szondy October 17, 2018

A team of Brown University scientists has developed a new catalyst that could make hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles more economical. Based on nanoparticles made of an alloy of platinum and cobalt, the new catalyst is cheaper than pure platinum, and also more efficient and longer lasting.

The new catalyst combines an outer shell of platinum atoms (gray spheres) with ordered layers of ...

Urban Transport

World's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train enters service

David Szondy September 17, 2018

The world's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered train has entered regular service in Germany with a two-car Alstom Coradia iLint taking to the tracks on Eisenbahnen und Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser's (EVB) Elbe-Weser network in Lower Saxony.

The hydrogen fuel cell-powered Coradia iLint on the move

Drones

BShark's hydrogen-powered Narwhal 2 flies for 2 hours, and transmits nearly 20 miles

Loz Blain September 16, 2018

BShark has moved mountains to bring down the price of its long-range Narwhal 2 drone. Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, this 6.6-kg monster flies for up to two hours, transmits up to 30 km and costs US$6,800, making it an attractive option for industrial inspection and surveillance applications.

BShark's Narwhal 2 offers two hours endurance and 30 km range for both control and video ...

Automotive

Hyundai teases fuel cell big rig concept ahead of IAA

Aaron Turpen September 13, 2018

The Hyundai Motor Company has teased a hydrogen fuel cell big rig ahead of the upcoming IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018 exposition. Promising a European launch of the truck in 2019, Hyundai released an image and a vague statement about the vehicle before its official debut.

Details on the new Hyundai fuel cell truck are scant, but more will be unveiled in ...