Hydrogen

So you've probably heard something about hydrogen. On the positive side, you may have heard that hydrogen is the ideal fuel for cars, homes, and even your laptop or cellphone. You might know that all major car companies are intensely researching hydrogen technology for the next generation of vehicles, and that the U.S. Department of Energy is sponsoring research into hydrogen-powered fuel cells. In light of global climate change and our dependence on foreign oil, people are raving about the potential for a zero-emission, home-produced hydrogen economy.

Questions and Concerns

But isn't hydrogen just a scientist's pipe dream?
Isn't it dangerous?
Wasn't hydrogen the cause of the Hindenburg catastrophe, and other disasters?
And even if it could be contained properly, won't hydrogen be far more expensive than gasoline?

The answer to all these concerns is a resounding No. Unfortunately, hydrogen has garnered a false reputation as an unsafe fuel. Many other myths abound, but hydrogen is not a rare chemical dreamed up by alchemists and used by weapons scientists. In fact, hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe, most commonly found on earth as H₂O — water.

You and I are primarily made of hydrogen.