Photos: Hydrogen car tech revs up

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hydrogen generator

A hydrogen generator is on display at Semicon West 2006. Hydrogen is largely produced by mixing methane with steam at high temperatures. Some believe that nuclear power plants could do the job more economically in the future. Meanwhile, Signa Chemistry, a start-up out of Columbia University, has developed sodium capsules that can generate small amounts of hydrogen on the go.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:56 GMT (08:56 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
hydrogen fuel pump

This hydrogen fuel pump is fake, but the real thing will crank out gas at 500 pounds per square inch. Iceland has said it is interested in the pumps.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:56 GMT (08:56 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
fuel cell kit

Attention hobbyists: You can make your own hydrogen fuel cell at home. Watch out for those open flames.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:56 GMT (08:56 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Ford Focus

This Ford Focus runs on hydrogen. You can crank it up to 80 miles an hour, but it only has a range of about 200 miles.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:56 GMT (08:56 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Ford trunk

The hydrogen tank in the Ford Focus consumes most of the trunk space.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:56 GMT (08:56 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Focus gas gauge

The gas gauge on the Ford Focus. Read closely.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:56 GMT (08:56 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Ford Ice Car

Ford's Ice Car, carved out of a life-size block of ice, is intended to tout a new engine technology called bio-ethanol. The Ice Car was on display July 18, 2006, at the UK Motor Show at London's Docklands Excel Centre.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:56 GMT (08:56 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler