Daimler-Benz cooperates "closely" with Rodriguez and Baker, but is silent about the results.We hear that Daimler will soon verify the basic results of the investigations from Boston with amounts between 200 mg and 1 kg.

In Germany the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) in Ulm and other partners have made measurements of their own with carbon fibers. Juergen Garche of ZSW is optimistic about the probable results.

Common typical feature of all graphite nanostructures suitable for hydrogen storage is a high percentage of crystalline graphite and distances or gaps with a size as close as possible to 0.335 nm. The pi electrons of the C atom are delocalized in the graphite crystal. So the lattice has a common cloud of electrons, similar to metals and unlike amorphous activated charcoal. This permits chemisorption of gas or vapor molecules, which results in a much stronger bonding than in the case of physisorption on activated charcoal or comparable substances.

Quite independent of hydrogen storage there are already numerous other applications for graphite fibers. The price for the fibers under the conditions of mass production is not seen as critical.

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After the end of the experiments the model tank stands "unemployed" on the test BAM ground 50 km S of Berlin; its use by other interested parties for research purposes will principally be permitted.

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H. Buchner (Daimler-Benz) reported about the state of the project by Daimler-Benz and several partners, mainly medium enterprises from Thuringia, for the use of hydrogen as fuel for utility vehicles and for the reduction of the NO_x emissions of Diesel motors.

The former Los Alamos member W. Edeskuty gave a presentation about the connection between safety and public acceptance of hydrogen technology. He demanded general and international standards and rules (see the note about the ISO groups).

The national hydrogen associations, in particular those from Europe, will improve and also formalize their cooperation.

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Under the title "Renaissance Project" a committee of the US National Hydrogen Association (NHA) thinks seriously about mobility and vehicles of the next century and also considers filling up your car from the water hose. A planning group will have its first meeting in autumn.

By the way: the July issue of the "International Journal of Hydrogen Energy" (page 675) reports about "Photoelectrocatalytical production of hydrogen from natural sea water with sunlight". A yield of up to 400 cm³/h gas is possible per m² radiated area.

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The partnership Daimler/Ballard which was agreed in April (see no. 3/97) is now formal since 26. August. The contracts about a capital investment and the foundation of joint daughter companies for development and marketing of fuel cell drives were signed. During the next months both sides together will invest more than 450 MCan$ (about 290 MEuro). Board member Hubbert, responsible for cars, said for Daimler during the signing ceremony that the fuel cell "has the greatest chances to make serious competition to the combustion engine". Car development head Petri said: "The fuel cell will prevail, when we are able to offer them to our customers to an attractive relation of price and performance."

The "Project House Fuel Cell" of Daimler-Benz AG now has a spacious new quarter at Nabern near Kirchheim unter Teck. All activities on the fuel cell car system in Esslingen, Ulm, Friedrichshafen, and elsewhere have been concentrated there.

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UBA principally investigates all environmental relevant technologies, but makes a difference between those which promise a progress now or in the foreseeable future and those which might find a broad application at a later time. It is reluctant for the time being as far as the possibilities of hydrogen technology are concerned, especially when the necessary energy and the emissions are considered for the whole process chain including the hydrogen production. UBA has an interest, however, in keeping open the option of hydrogen technology and in investigating it in well-defined application projects.

The transportation department of the agency advocated that the use of hydrogen fuel is not necessary for the reduction of the limited emissions (hydrocarbons, CO, NO_x, particulate matter). The way to the decrease of CO₂ emissions is rather seen in the reduction of consumption. Fuel cell application is rather seen in the stationary domain, where for the time being fossil fuels should be used preferably as primary fuels.

The news about UBA's reaction on the presentation of Daimler-Benz's Nebus had caused a certain irritation. UBA said that this was due to a wrong impression of UBA's evaluation of fuel cell technology which was caused by shortened media reports giving a wrong picture. UBA's expectations, however, are in fact not quite as high as those in the Daimler press releases. By no means, however, is the house against hydrogen and fuel cells.

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