HyperSolar Achieves Major Breakthrough in Splitting Water Into Renewable Hydrogen Fuel / The Company Exceeds the 1.23 Volts Threshold Required for Artificial Photosynthesis to Split Water Into Hydrogen and Oxygen Using Only the Power of the Sun
SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwired - December 09, 2014) - HyperSolar, Inc. (OTCQB: HYSR), the developer of a breakthrough technology to produce renewable hydrogen using sunlight and any source of water, today announced that it had reached 1.25 volts (V), an important milestone achievement in its effort to split water molecules for the production of renewable hydrogen fuel.
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 hypersolar.com/application.php.
The theoretical minimum voltage needed to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen is 1.23 V. However, in real world systems, 1.5 V or more is generally needed because of the low reaction kinetics. So far, other researchers have only been able to achieve this voltage level through the use of either inefficient materials, such as titanium oxide, or very expensive semiconductors, such as gallium arsenide. Also, overcoming the corrosive degradation of these "artificial photosynthesis" systems remains a monumental challenge and has thus far eluded commercialization.
HyperSolar has previously solved the degradation problem through the use of its patent-pending protective coating, which has demonstrated long stability. Now, with 1.25 V of water splitting voltage through an inexpensive but efficient solar absorber, the company has achieved something that has never been done in a real-world environment. Future development efforts will focus on increasing the currents and photovoltages beyond 1.5V.
"Our teams at the University of California, Santa Barbara and at the University of Iowa have been working diligently to achieve efficient renewable hydrogen production," said Tim Young, CEO of HyperSolar. "Our low cost, submersible semiconductor technology does not require a fossil fuel component, making the process truly as 'green' as possible. We are pleased that this milestone brings us one step closer to producing hydrogen fuel at or near the point of distribution, and at a cost reasonable enough to ensure industrial scalability."
Mr. Young concluded, "The recent announcements from auto manufacturers, big box retailers, and the state of California, have created nationwide optimism for the future of hydrogen fuel technology. We believe our technology will support the industry as it strives to meet the growing public demand for renewable hydrogen fuel. Currently, most of the industry uses 'brown' hydrogen fuel, produced from natural gas, which emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment."
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 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.
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