Efficient Hydrogen Production Using Laser Ablation: A Green Energy Breakthrough

Introduction

As the world transitions toward cleaner energy sources, hydrogen is emerging as a key player in the race to develop sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. However, traditional hydrogen production methods often rely on processes that generate significant carbon emissions or require high energy inputs, limiting their environmental benefits. Our patented method of producing hydrogen through laser ablation offers a groundbreaking approach to hydrogen production, utilizing laser technology to generate hydrogen efficiently and sustainably. This advanced method paves the way for greener energy solutions while offering a versatile tool for industries looking to tap into hydrogen’s vast potential.

The Challenges of Traditional Hydrogen Production

While hydrogen is recognized as a clean energy carrier, most of the hydrogen produced today is derived from natural gas through a process called steam methane reforming, which emits large amounts of CO2. Alternatively, hydrogen can be produced through electrolysis, which requires significant energy input and remains relatively expensive to scale. As industries, governments, and environmental groups push for low-carbon alternatives, there is an increasing demand for more sustainable and cost-effective methods of producing hydrogen.

Achieving efficient hydrogen production without significant environmental impact is essential for industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and energy storage, where hydrogen’s potential is vast but underutilized due to production limitations.

A Clean, Laser-Based Hydrogen Production Method

Our method of producing hydrogen through laser ablation provides an innovative solution to these challenges. By utilizing laser technology to ablate materials such as water or other hydrogen-containing compounds, the process generates pure hydrogen without relying on carbon-emitting fossil fuels or expensive, energy-intensive methods. Laser ablation involves the use of high-energy laser pulses to break molecular bonds and release hydrogen, allowing for clean, efficient hydrogen production with minimal waste and energy input.

This technology offers flexibility, as it can be applied to various materials and can be scaled to meet the needs of industries ranging from small-scale hydrogen generation to large-scale production. Its versatility and environmental benefits make it an attractive solution for companies aiming to reduce their carbon footprint while tapping into the growing hydrogen economy.

Key Benefits

Sustainable Hydrogen Production: Generates hydrogen without relying on carbon-emitting methods or fossil fuels.
Energy Efficient: Uses laser ablation to produce hydrogen with lower energy input compared to traditional methods.
Scalable Technology: Suitable for both small-scale and industrial hydrogen production, adaptable to different applications.
Green Energy Focus: Provides a clean alternative for industries looking to integrate hydrogen into their energy strategies.

Driving the Future of Hydrogen Energy with Advanced Laser Technology

Licensing this laser ablation-based hydrogen production method offers companies in the energy and clean technology sectors a groundbreaking tool for generating hydrogen efficiently and sustainably. By embracing this innovative approach, businesses can lead the charge in the green energy movement, ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future powered by hydrogen.

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Abstract
Claims

The process describes the capability of solid-state metals to oxidize in water to produce hydrogen when stimulated by laser. The solid-state metals with an adherent surface layer of the oxide component is introduced into water or another suitable oxidizer. The metal-oxidizer reaction to form hydrogen is initiated and maintained by a laser periodically/continually ablating the metal. The energy, pulse duration and wavelength of the laser may be tailored to control the rate of reaction of the source material with the oxidizer, and thereby control the rate of formation of hydrogen. Application of energy produced by such method may include powering large scale commercial and residential energy companies, providing sustainable and continuous fuel for intergalactic missions, providing an alternative fuel sources for on-board hydrogen-powered vehicles and smaller scale applications such as emergency generators.

The invention claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:

immersing a metal in a liquid, wherein the metal includes a metal surface covered by an oxide layer;

shining a laser beam through the oxide layer at a frequency where the oxide layer is transparent to the laser beam;

ablating the metal surface underneath the oxide layer by shining the laser beam on the metal surface to vaporize and form a plasma from the metal surface; breaking up the oxide layer with a shock wave formed by said ablating the metal surface underneath the oxide layer;

and collecting hydrogen resulting from said ablating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal includes aluminum.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal includes an aluminum alloy.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid includes liquid water.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal is in a solid state.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

consuming the hydrogen at a location of hydrogen production.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said ablating includes emitting the laser beam with a wavelength between 400 nm and 800 nm.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

changing the position of the laser beam to ablate a different portion of the oxide layer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said ablating includes emitting a laser beam with a minimum power of 100 mW.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said ablating includes pulsing the laser beam.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said pulsing includes pulsing with a duration between 50 fs to 10 ms.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said pulsing the laser beam occurs at a frequency between 1 kHz to 1000 kHz.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

treating the liquid with a passivation preventing agent.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the passivation preventing agent includes NaOH, NaCl, or H₃PO₄.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

retaining the liquid in a reaction chamber.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said ablating includes emitting the laser beam with a wavelength between 400 nm and 800 nm;

said ablating includes emitting a laser beam with a minimum power of 100 mW;

said ablating includes pulsing the laser beam;

said pulsing includes pulsing with a duration between 50 fs to 10 ms; and

said pulsing the laser beam occurs at a frequency between 1 kHz to 1000 kHz.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the metal includes aluminum;

the liquid includes liquid water; and

the oxide layer includes aluminum oxide.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the metal includes aluminum;

the liquid includes liquid water; and

the oxide layer includes aluminum oxide.

Title

Method of producing hydrogen through laser ablation

Inventor(s)

Vladlen G. Shvedov

Assignee(s)

New World Energy LLC

Patent #

10899611

Patent Date

January 26, 2021