A New Way To Make Water, And Fuel Cells

Roland Piquepaille writes "You probably know that it is easy to combine hydrogen and oxygen to make water. After all, this chemical reaction is known for more than two centuries. But now, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) have discovered a new way to make water. As states the UIUC report, 'not only can they make water from unlikely starting materials, such as alcohols, their work could also lead to better catalysts and less expensive fuel cells.' But be warned: don't read the technical paper itself. It could win an obfuscated contest — if such a contest existed for scientific papers." Yet another advance in fuel cell technology; we discussed a different one just the other day.

Alcohol into water?

[doyoulikeworms]

Shouldn't it be the other way around?

[OT] Grammar nitpick

[noidentity]

But be warned: don't read the technical paper itself. It could win an obfuscated contest -- if such a contest existed for scientific papers.

An obfuscated contest or a contest for obfuscation? The fomer would be difficult to figure out, while the latter would reward entries that are difficult to figure out.

Breaking News

[Anonymous Coward]

Upon inspection of the molecules it was discovered that they in fact had created Di-Hydrogen Oxide and not water which has caused quite a few deaths of late.

Re:Wow

[Anonymous Coward]

Are you dense? Earth, Air, Water and Fire. Hello? The four elements that make up the universe. You keep your post-biblical pseudo-scientific hogwash were it belongs.

Re:Wow

[budgenator]

five elements, you forgot alcohol you insensitive clod!

Sign of the End Times

[NotQuiteReal]

Water into Wine - that's a miracle.

Wine into water - that's the work of a beast!

Re:ohnoitsroland

[aevan]

We have tonnes of powdered water here every winter,and amusingly enough, licking it is one of the ways to restore it to liquid water. Just add a label to 'add heat' and you're back in business.

Captain Planet

[Dr. Cody]

It all makes sense now!

That "heart" power the jungle boy and his monkey had was alcohol all along!