Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) and Midwest Research Institute (MRI) in kansas city have developed carbon briquettes from corncob waste materials. These briquettes have complex nanopores, enabling them to store natural gas at 180 times their own volume and at a pressure of only 500 pounds per square inch, the pressure found in natural gas pipelines.

"We are very excited about this breakthrough because it may lead to a flat and compact tank that would fit under the floor of a passenger car, similar to current gasoline tanks," said Pfeifer. "Such a technology would make natural gas a widely attractive alternative fuel for everyone."

According to Pfeifer, the absence of such a flatbed tank has been the principal reason why natural gas, which costs significantly less than gasoline and diesel and burns more cleanly, is not yet widely used as a fuel for vehicles.

Currently, the technology's performance in vehicles in terms of mileage and stability, is being evaluated for possible commercialization.

Source and Image: NSF