HyperSolar, Inc. (OTC:HYSR), the developer of a breakthrough technology
to produce renewable hydrogen using sunlight and any source of water,
today announced that its artificial photosynthesis technology is now
capable of producing 1.0 volt open circuit voltage for use in direct
solar hydrogen production. This achievement represents a dramatic
voltage increase over the previous 0.2 volt just 8 months ago, and 0.75
volt just 3 months ago.
It is well known that the theoretical voltage for splitting water into
hydrogen and oxygen is 1.23 volts, and approximately 1.5 volts in
real-world systems. Achieving 1.5 volts using inexpensive solar cells
has eluded the world. For example, silicon solar cells are the most
inexpensive and abundant, but their 0.7 volt is not enough to split
water. Commercially available high voltage solar cells are unfortunately
too expensive for use in hydrogen production.
“Our cutting-edge research program at the University of California Santa
Barbara led by Dr. Syed Mubeen Hussaini continues to make impressive
progress,” stated Tim Young, CEO of HyperSolar. “The 1.0 volt milestone
is very exciting in that it provides us with a clear and encouraging
roadmap to reach the 1.5 volts needed for water splitting. The
semi-conductor materials used are very inexpensive, which gives us
confidence that a low cost system is possible. The process to make this
novel solar cell is equally exciting in that it is a simple
solutions-based chemistry process. It does not require conventional
expensive semiconductor processes and facilities. It was literally made
in a beaker.”
Mr. Young continued, “Recently, Honda and General Motors announced
a partnership to bring hydrogen cars to the mass market by 2020.
While this is great news for our industry, a major unsolved piece of the
puzzle is the low cost production of renewable hydrogen for fueling
stations. We believe that producing renewable hydrogen anywhere there is
water and sunlight is the key to realizing a cost-effective hydrogen
economy of fuel cell vehicles. We envision that fueling stations can be
built next to self-contained solar hydrogen production plants using our
low cost technology.”
HyperSolar’s research is centered on developing a low-cost and
submersible hydrogen production particle that can split water molecules
under the sun, emulating the core functions of photosynthesis. Each
particle is a complete hydrogen generator that contains a novel high
voltage solar cell bonded to chemical catalysts by a proprietary
encapsulation coating. A video of an early proof-of-concept prototype
can be viewed at http://hypersolar.com/application.php.
HyperSolar recently extended its sponsored research agreement with UCSB
to further the development.
While 1.0 volt may not be commercially viable for water splitting, it is
viable in high value photo-catalysis application in the chemical
industry, such as bromine extraction from wastewater. HyperSolar intends
to explore those opportunities as part of its overall commercialization
strategy.
About HyperSolar, Inc.
HyperSolar is developing a breakthrough, low cost technology to make
renewable hydrogen using sunlight and any source of water, including
seawater and wastewater. Unlike hydrocarbon fuels, such as oil, coal and
natural gas, where carbon dioxide and other contaminants are released
into the atmosphere when used, hydrogen fuel usage produces pure water
as the only byproduct. By optimizing the science of water electrolysis
at the nano-level, our low cost nanoparticles mimic photosynthesis to
efficiently use sunlight to separate hydrogen from water, to produce
environmentally friendly renewable hydrogen. Using our low cost method
to produce renewable hydrogen, we intend to enable a world of
distributed hydrogen production for renewable electricity and hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles. To learn more about HyperSolar, please visit our
website at http://www.HyperSolar.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and
similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual
results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those
contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements
contained herein, and while expected, there is no guarantee that we will
attain the aforementioned anticipated developmental milestones. These
forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the
Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These
include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated
with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting
the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor
performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting
from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors
detailed in reports filed by the Company.
Copyright Business Wire 2013