Photo: Harvesting hydrogen

Signa Chemistry has created a method for mixing sodium and water to create hydrogen--sans the sparks and heat that are normally generated. The company mixes sodium with silica gel or crystalline silicon to create a powder that essentially strips electrons from the sodium molecules in advance. When water is introduced, the chemical reaction proceeds calmly.

July 12, 2005 7:30 AM PDT

Photo by: Signa Chemistry