New class of chemical compounds created

UPI ^ | 01/22/07

[nypokerface]

BALTIMORE, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have synthesized a new class of aluminum-hydrogen compounds that might be useful in various energy applications.

The synthesis was achieved by researchers from Johns Hopkins and Virginia Commonwealth universities, along with scientists from the University of Konstanz and University of Karlsruhe, both in Germany.

The new aluminum-hydrogen molecules called "hydrides" are relatively stable and similar in structure to boranes, which are composed of boron and hydrogen atoms.

That stability might hold the key to the compound's possible future uses in rocket fuel, said team co-leader Kit Bowen, a professor of chemistry and materials science at Johns Hopkins.

"It's always tough to predict how things will play out in the future, but our research finding is interesting enough for me to be willing to say that this synthesis may have the potential for some possibly very useful future applications, including the development of solid rocket fuel with more thrust," Bowen said.

Physics Professor Puru Jena of Virginia Commonwealth, the team co-leader, said the work might also lead to development of novel nano-materials for storing and releasing hydrogen.

The research appears in the current issue of the journal Science.

[A Strict Constructionist]

Your tagline is classic to say the least.

[MD_Willington_1976]

I do not have them on hand, a friend from college ran a powerder company and he had his "ticket" for such things, he knew how to mix up all sorts of batches etcetera...

We had a lot of fun doing "experiments" on his 27 acre property...

[null and void]

Sounds like fun...

[BreezyDog]

If I knew in junior high that you could mix 30% fine german aluminum powder with 70% potassium percholate to make a scary bang I wouldn't have any hands left. As an adult I'm alot more careful. For that matter if I had the internet when I was a kid I'd probably be dead.