Fluorine could energize fuel cells, superconductors
“We have, for the first time, metalized fluorine,” claimed researcher Choong-Shik Yoo of Washington State University. “We have proven the concept that under the right conditions, fluorine can exhibit the novel properties of both a semiconductor and a crystalline metal.”
By inserting xenon di-fluoride (XeF2, a material used to etch silicon conductors) between two diamond anvils and applying almost half-a-million atmospheres (50 GPa), the researchers produced a two-dimensional graphite-like semiconductor. The application of almost 1 million atmospheres (100 Gpa) yielded crystalline metal.
In this state, the highly concentrated fluorine could kill toxic microbes in seconds. Moreover, the energy used to compress it could be recovered as electricity from a modified fuel-cell.
“This material could be used like in a fuel-cell like device. It would not have a separate fuel and oxidizer, but its operation would be similar in that chemical energy would be stored and could be released as electricity,” said Yoo.
The researchers said their next step will be to synthesize the materials on a larger scale and find ways to stabilize them under ambient conditions. Applications also could include superconducting materials.
“There is theoretical work, which has not been published yet, that indicates that superconductivity may be achieved in these fluorine materials,” said Yoo.
Brunnthal/Munich and Kehl, Germany, – Buerstner, leading international motor home and caravan manufacturer, and EFOY support the French retailer ETS Jacqueline SAS and the race team of Dominique and Anne-Marie Ribaut in the Paris-Peking-Paris rallye. In this transcontinental motor home race, 50 teams will cover around 30,000 km (approx. 18,640 miles) in their motor homes from June 1 to September 3, 2010. The rallye will start and end in Paris, crossing 13 countries – among them Germany, Poland, the Baltic States, Russia, Kazakhstan, and China. The French Federation of Camping & Caravaning (FFCC) organizes the event, following the idea of the Peking – Paris race, the world’s first and still longest transcontinental car race. The Ribaut couple competes the race with their Buerstner Solano T690-G, one of Europe’s most successful partially integrated motor home models combining dynamic driving characteristics with ultimate comfort and driving safety. An EFOY 2200 fuel cell ensures the vehicle’s off-grid power autonomy. It provides a reliable, silent, environmentally friendly power supply directly on board. During a stopover of the team on their way in early June, Buerstner and EFOY representatives welcomed Mr. and Mrs Ribaut at the Buerstner customer center in Kehl, Germany.
“We wish Dominique and Anne-Marie Ribaut much success for their trip. Our Solano proves just how comfortably and environmentally friendly this adventure can be tackled. The Solano’s dynamic driving characteristics, its on-board comfort, and its ultimate driving safety are the best prerequisites for a successful race”, says Maggie Sattler, Marketing Director France at Buerstner.
