Physics 162 Third Homework Assignment

  1. Do some research on hydrogen fuel cells. Explain their basic operation and their feasibility and their potential commerical, residential and transportation applications.

  2. Research and report on some of the current practical and technical problems associated with the storage of hydrogen as well as ON board storage in the case of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

  3. Research and report on developments of advanced batteries. What kinds of new materials are being considered and what kind of energy density capacities are being projected as milestones to achieve?.

  4. A numerical exercise related to the previous question: your laptop requires 80 watts of power. If someone developed a battery with an energy density of 1200 watts hours per kg - how long could you continuously power your laptop using a 2 kg battery?

  5. The scalability of cellulosic ethanol (switchgrass, etc) is currently a much debated topic. Consult various resources on this subject an report on the range of views about the total yield that is potentially available in this resource. This is one article that will help get you going