DOST eyes water hyacinth as component for fuel cell batteries
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)'s newly-opened fuel cell research and development and testing center is developing a facility to utilize water hyacinths as material for producing electricity.
According to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, the material can be used to build a so-called membrane that is an important component of a fuel battery.
"Ang fuel cell ay parang baterya pero hindi kailangang i-recharge for as long as meron syang fuel," Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.
Water hyacinths spread rapidly.
In a day, collected water hyacinths from rivers can fill up to seven Metropolitan Manila Development Authority trucks.
Aside from water hyacinths, other waste products, including cotton waste from textile factories, can also be used to make membranes.
"We're looking at multiple materials sa source of fiber for the membrane," Lotilla said.
Meanwhile, hydrogen is similar to the gasoline needed by a fuel cell battery.
This can be taken from excess electricity from solar and wind energy.
"I-convert natin to hydrogen for fuel and then later on convert uli natin into power," DOST Science Research Specialist Ronal Parreño Jr. said.
It will still take a while before the development from water hyacinth becomes commercially viable, but in the coming year, they are targeting releasing the first prototype.
—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News
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