Researchers at the U. S. Army’s Research Laboratory at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, announced what they call a “groundbreaking discovery – an aluminum nanomaterial they designed produces high amounts of energy when it comes in contact with water, or with any liquid containing water.” Reportedly “during routine materials experimentation,” the team observed a bubbling reaction when they added water to a nano-galvanic aluminum-based powder. The rapid and spontaneous hydrolysis of water did not require a catalyst came as a surprise to the researchers. Scott Grendahl, a materials engineer and team leader, explained, “The hydrogen that is given off can be used as a fuel in a fuel cell.” Unlike most water splitting, this is a one-step process, adding water to the special powder. Dr. Anit Giri, a physicist in the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate at the lab, explains, “In our case, it does not need a catalyst. Also, it is very fast. For example, we have calculated that …
