In this blog post, we will take an easy and interesting look at the potential of hydrogen fuel cells and environmentally friendly hydrogen production technology using microorganisms.
The future of energy changed by microorganisms
We consume energy constantly in our daily lives. If you look around your home, even at this very moment, the washing machine is spinning, the fluorescent lights are shining brightly, and the vacuum cleaner and lawn mower are working diligently. Not only various household appliances, but also cars running on the roads and factories operating, modern civilization exists on top of an enormous amount of energy consumption.
So, what would happen if one day our energy sources were depleted? All machines would stop, computers would shut down, transportation would become impossible, and we would be trapped in darkness at night. It is grim to even imagine, but this energy crisis is not just a story of the distant future. Currently, humanity depends on fossil fuels such as coal and oil for most of its energy, and these resources are limited. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide produced during their use causes serious environmental pollution. Therefore, the development of new energy resources is essential for a sustainable future.
However, there is no need to worry too much. Scientists and engineers around the world are working hard to solve this problem. Various clean energy sources that do not harm the environment, such as wind energy and geothermal energy, have already been developed, and some are entering the practical application stage.
Among them, the technology that has been attracting the most attention recently is hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen is the lightest gas in the universe, and when it reacts with oxygen in the air, it produces water and releases energy. A device that converts this energy into electrical energy is called a hydrogen fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel cells are more energy efficient than conventional coal and oil, and are very environmentally friendly because they emit only water.
However, even hydrogen fuel cells, which seem so ideal, have practical problems. The biggest obstacle is the cost of hydrogen production. No matter how efficient a resource hydrogen is, if the cost of producing it is too high, it will not be practical. Furthermore, ironically, most of the hydrogen currently used is obtained by burning fossil fuels such as oil and coal. This means that in order to solve existing energy problems, we are using another fossil fuel. In this case, carbon dioxide is also generated again, so hydrogen fuel cells cannot be considered a “perfect alternative.”
So how can this problem be solved? The answer lies in microorganisms.
Microorganisms produce hydrogen?
Microorganisms are organisms so small that they can only be seen with a microscope. There are many different types of microorganisms in the world, and some of them produce hydrogen as they consume food. By collecting large quantities of these microorganisms and “cultivating” them, it is possible to produce hydrogen in large quantities in a stable manner.
It is similar to feeding cows to get milk or feeding chickens to get eggs. Hydrogen production using microorganisms is much more environmentally friendly than conventional methods and has the advantage of reducing the production cost of hydrogen due to lower energy consumption. In addition, it is not only hydrogen that can be obtained, but additional benefits can also be expected.
For example, anaerobic microorganisms produce hydrogen by decomposing organic matter without oxygen. They mainly feed on waste resources (food waste, sewage, etc.), so they can be used for waste treatment and hydrogen production at the same time. Another example is photosynthetic microorganisms. These microorganisms use sunlight as energy and produce hydrogen using carbon dioxide and water in the air. This allows for hydrogen production while also reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Still in the research stage, but the future looks bright
Currently, hydrogen production technology using microorganisms is mainly in the basic research stage at universities and research institutes. As it involves working with living organisms, precise manipulation is required, and since different microorganisms have different characteristics, it is necessary to develop customized technology tailored to the characteristics of each microorganism.
Of course, this process is time-consuming and difficult, but once microorganisms suitable for the environment in Korea are selected and production technology tailored to them is developed, the results will be of tremendous value. As the saying goes, “small things are hot,” these microorganisms, which are too small to be seen, could become the “small hydrogen factories” of the future.
Conclusion
In order to solve the serious problems of energy depletion and environmental pollution facing humanity, we can no longer rely solely on existing resources. Hydrogen has great potential as a next-generation energy resource, and microorganisms are the key to turning that potential into reality.
It is fascinating that such small and insignificant organisms can change our future. Therefore, continued interest and active research support for hydrogen production technology using microorganisms are essential. The combination of hydrogen and microorganisms may be the answer to the energy problems facing humanity.
