Magnesium Hydride Disk Laser Release System

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of safely and compactly storing hydrogen gas for energy use, particularly in mobile applications like vehicles, due to its highly combustible nature and low energy to volume ratio in gaseous form.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogen energy system utilizing magnesium hydride disks with a laser system for controlled hydrogen release, where the magnesium hydride disks are designed for compact storage and feature a large surface area for interaction, and an array of lasers provides coherent light energy for controlled photonic-excitation-assisted release of hydrogen gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If hydrogen gas is stored in gaseous state (even compressed), then energy to weight ratio is high, but energy to volume ratio is low making storage impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy to weight ratioVSAvoidenergy to volume ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical state of hydrogen from gaseous to solid form by converting it into metal hydrides. This parameter change allows hydrogen to be stored in a compact solid state while maintaining high energy density, resolving the contradiction between weight efficiency and volume efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite metal hydride materials that combine different metals and alloys to optimize both the weight and volume characteristics of hydrogen storage. These composite materials provide high hydrogen content by weight while achieving compact storage by volume through controlled crystal structures and particle sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If hydrogen gas is stored for energy use, then energy availability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to highly combustible nature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy availabilityVSAvoidcombustibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes hydrogen from a highly reactive gaseous fuel to a stable solid metal hydride compound. This parameter change in chemical bonding and physical state dramatically reduces combustibility while preserving energy content, allowing safe storage and controlled energy release when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert environment by binding hydrogen within stable metal hydride crystal structures. This effectively isolates the combustible hydrogen from oxygen and other reactive conditions, preventing spontaneous combustion while maintaining energy availability through controlled decomposition or release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Productivity

If magnesium hydride disk surface area is increased for hydrogen release, then hydrogen release efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen release efficiencyVSAvoiddisk structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous or perforated magnesium hydride disk structures that increase the internal surface area available for hydrogen release. The porous architecture provides extensive reaction surfaces within a simple disk geometry, improving hydrogen release efficiency without significantly complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the magnesium hydride storage material into numerous small particles, pores, or segmented structures within the disk. This segmentation dramatically increases the total surface area for hydrogen release while maintaining a simple disk-shaped container, resolving the contradiction between release efficiency and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables safe, efficient, and compact storage and release of hydrogen gas, suitable for use in vehicles, with the ability to recharge the disks, providing a practical and cost-effective solution for hydrogen energy storage and use.

Implementation Method 1

providing coherent light energy for controlled photonic-excitation-assisted release of hydrogen gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotonic excitation: Photoionisation

Implementation Method 2

such at least one metal surface portion absorbs hydrogen from such at least one supply of hydrogen plasma to form at least one metal hydride

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8651268B2Hydrogen energy systems

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 PLASMA KINETICS HLDG LLC

AI summary

Hydrogen energy systems for obtaining hydrogen gas from a solid storage medium using controlled laser beams. Also disclosed are systems for charging/recharging magnesium with hydrogen to obtain magnesium hydride. Other relatively safe systems assisting storage, transport and use (as in vehicles) of such solid storage mediums are disclosed.