DIY Hydrogen Battery

This project began after learning about electrochemistry in class and realizing how accessible hydrogen battery technology could be with everyday materials. What started as curiosity quickly evolved into a hands-on exploration of renewable energy principles.

The first prototype utilized a modified plastic water bottle as the main chamber, with two metal wool electrodes providing maximum surface area for the electrochemical reaction. I strategically positioned a small recipient inside to capture the hydrogen gas while allowing oxygen to escape. The core principle relies on electrolysis - when electricity passes through water between the electrodes, it splits H₂O molecules into hydrogen (collected at the cathode) and oxygen (produced at the anode).

During the charging phase, hydrogen bubbles form and collect in the upper chamber, effectively storing energy in chemical form. When discharge is needed, simply connecting the electrodes to a small motor completes the circuit, allowing the hydrogen to recombine with atmospheric oxygen and release the stored energy as electricity. Despite its simplicity, this first prototype successfully powered a small motor briefly, validating the concept.

The second iteration represented a significant design improvement through 3D printing. I created a two-part housing with an inner and outer case specifically engineered to optimize the electrode surface area while minimizing the gap between them - a critical factor in efficiency. This design evolution included separate chambers for hydrogen and oxygen collection using small balloons. The improved prototype delivered noticeably better performance, generating enough power to drive a small propeller with reasonable torque.

This project demonstrated that complex energy concepts can be explored with minimal resources, bridging the gap between theoretical chemistry and practical engineering. The iterative design process yielded valuable insights into electrochemical efficiency, gas collection methods, and material considerations for renewable energy systems.