In Japan, the Tokyo Institute of Technology is developing an efficient solar powered laser. This laser will supposedly aid in the development of magnesium combustion engine.
According to the professor of mechanical engineering and science, Takashi Yabe, their goal is to create a powerful laser that can effectively combust magnesium from sea water. You would be astonished to know that Magnesium is a great energy source, as its energy storage density is 10 times more than hydrogen. Moreover, it is also immensely abundant.
Yabe also informed that magnesium oxide produced from the reaction can again be converted into magnesium. This recycling process demands great temperature. In order to operate magnesium combustion engine, solar power is required for the lasers. Lasers concentrate sunlight on neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet. Usually, solar powered lasers depends a lot on large mirrors. However, Yabe along with his colleagues have developed an immensely powerful laser.
This was made possible with the addition of chromium. Yabe stated, “Thus the efficiency from sunlight to laser is greatly enhanced.” Instead of large mirrors, they have sued small Fresnel lens. Yabe also informed that, “In our case, we used only 1.3 meter squared and achieved 25 watts,” he further added, “So we are expecting 300 to 400 watts with the four-meter-squared Fresnel lens.”
Sunita Stayapal, HOD of Hydrogen Storage team, state it as unusual approach. She also said, “The key issue is cost and total efficiency.” She also informed several other ways of generating hydrogen from solar power.
Via : technologyreview
