Thought of the Day: The Final Journey: Recycling and the Rebirth of Hydrogen

In a world seeking balance with its environment, recycling is not just a practice; it's a promise for the future. Hydrogen-powered vehicles—both FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) and HICEVs (Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles)—represent a fascinating chapter in this narrative of sustainability and renewal.

Closing a Cycle: The Legacy of Hydrogen

The magic lies not only in the birth of these vehicles but also in their farewell. Upon reaching the end of their useful life, FCEVs and HICEVs have the opportunity to close a cycle, transforming from simple means of transportation into rich sources of recyclable materials.

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Hidden Treasures: Precious Metals in Fuel Cells

The fuel cell is the heart of the FCEV, and within it lies a hidden treasure: platinum. This precious metal, crucial for converting hydrogen into electricity, not only powers cars but also inspires innovative minds seeking to maximize its recovery at the end of a vehicle's life cycle.

Through advanced chemical and mechanical processes, platinum is recovered with an efficiency of 95% or more, turning old into new. Leading companies like Toyota and Hyundai have implemented buyback programs that ensure these crucial components are not only reused but also pave the way for new generations of vehicles.

Reinvention: From Tanks to New Creations

Hydrogen tanks, made from a durable blend of carbon fiber and composite materials, are not easily discarded. Instead, they undergo a shredding process that allows for the partial reuse of the material in new creations, thus reducing the environmental impact and closing another chapter in the vehicle's life cycle.

A Sustainable Future: The Rebirth

This final journey is more than just dismantling; it's a rebirth. As valuable materials are recycled, the possibility of new beginnings in emerging technologies and sustainable solutions is nurtured.

An Invitation to Change: A Walk Toward the Future

The journey of hydrogen as a fuel is a powerful reminder that every ending can be a new beginning. Hydrogen vehicles not only take us where we need to go, but they also teach us valuable lessons about sustainability and environmental impact.

So, as we gaze toward the horizon of a greener future, let us remember that every hydrogen car that is recycled is a renewed promise toward that dream world. This rebirth speaks not only of a closed cycle; it celebrates the human capacity to innovate and transform the old into something new and bright.

How do you see your role in this process? Will you join the recycling journey, helping to breathe new life into the materials that once powered vehicles full of promise toward a more sustainable future?

Share your thoughts and experiences about hydrogen recycling in the comments. Together, we can inspire meaningful change and create a lasting impact on our world.

A Night of Celestial Capture: An Adventure Journal

 The Supermoon That Refused to Leave

Last night, the sky offered us a spectacle that seemed straight out of an ancient dream: a Supermoon so large and luminous that it appeared to have descended a few steps closer to Earth, as if it wanted to speak to us.

And although its peak had already passed, it remained there, suspended with serene dignity, bathing the rooftops, the trees, and curious faces with a light that was neither entirely white nor entirely golden, but something in between: the color of memories that are never forgotten.

I stopped to look at it for a long time. Not in a hurry, not with the urgency to capture it in a photograph, but with the calm of someone listening to a story told in a soft voice. Because that's what it was: a story. One that spoke of cycles, of tides, of celestial bodies that attract and recede, but always return.

A Closer, More Human Moon

We call it a “supermoon” because its orbit brings it a little closer to us, and its apparent size increases. But what truly expands is our capacity for wonder. In that instant, the Moon ceases to be merely an astronomical object and becomes a mirror of our emotions: nostalgia, tenderness, a yearning for permanence.

From the perspective of Renaissance humanism, the Moon is not just a celestial body: it is an interlocutor. Galileo observed it with his rudimentary lenses and discovered that it had mountains and valleys, that it was neither perfect nor smooth as previously believed. And in that discovery, the sky ceased to be an immutable realm and became a territory shared with us, humankind.

An invitation to pause

Last night, that enormous Moon seemed to remind us of something essential: that even amidst the noise, the screens, the hectic schedules, there is beauty waiting to be contemplated. That looking at the sky is not a luxury, but a necessity of the soul.

And that even when it has passed its highest point, the Moon—like so many precious things in life—continues to shine. Not because it wants to be seen, but simply because it is.

Thought of the Day: Hydrogen: A Global Energy Revolution Towards 2025

Introduction

In recent years, hydrogen has emerged as one of the most promising solutions to address the climate crisis. Since its first mention in an international context during COP25 in Madrid in 2019, we have seen how this element has positioned itself at the center of the debate on sustainable energy. The year 2025 marked fundamental milestones that defined its role in the global energy future.

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The Evolution of Hydrogen

Traditionally used in the steel industry, hydrogen has evolved towards more diverse and sustainable applications. As countries intensified their efforts to combat climate change, different classifications of hydrogen emerged: gray, blue, green, and yellow, each with its own environmental footprint.

- Gray Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas through reforming, it emits CO2 in the process.

- Blue Hydrogen: Similar to gray hydrogen but capturing and storing the resulting CO2 emissions.

- Green Hydrogen: Generated through electrolysis using renewable energy, it is completely emission-free.

- Yellow Hydrogen: Derived from natural gas with the added benefit of carbon capture and storage.

Key Milestones of 2025

The year 2025 witnessed several crucial events that solidified hydrogen as a transformative force in the energy landscape:

1. Hydrogen Americas Summit (Washington): The United States committed to tripling its green hydrogen production, positioning itself as a leader in the adoption of clean technologies.

2. World Hydrogen Summit (Rotterdam): In a historic meeting, 42 countries agreed on a global standard for green hydrogen, facilitating its international trade and certification.

3. Hydrogen Latin America (Santiago, Chile): Brazil launched the "Northeast Hub" initiative, reinforcing its leadership in Latin America with a significant investment in green hydrogen infrastructure.

4. G20 Energy Transitions (Foz do Iguaçu): The Belém Declaration on Hydrogen marked an unprecedented political consensus, laying the groundwork for international collaboration.

5. World Hydrogen Congress (Copenhagen): The "hydrogen passport" was introduced, an innovative tool to ensure traceability and facilitate global hydrogen trade.

6. Pre-COP30 Hydrogen Roundtable (Brasilia): 110 countries signed a letter of intent, committing to establish a global hydrogen market by 2030.

Economic and Technological Impacts

The global adoption of hydrogen has redistributed energy power, transforming new players into green exporters. Technological innovations have enabled successful demonstrations of hydrogen-powered vehicles and ships, showing their viability in reducing emissions.

Impact on Our Daily Lives

- Freight and Maritime Transport: This is the major challenge of decarbonization. Long-haul trucks and ocean-going ships cannot run solely on batteries. Hydrogen and its derivatives (such as green ammonia) are the only viable solution today to decarbonize this sector, which is the backbone of global trade. Announcements of hydrogen-powered ships by 2025 are the spearhead of this revolution.

- Green Industry: Virtually every product we use (from the aluminum in your phone to the cement in your house) has a huge carbon footprint. Hydrogen allows us to produce green steel, green cement, and green chemicals, decarbonizing the foundations of our material civilization.

Production Challenges

Currently, only 0.01% of global production is achieved, and this is expected to reach 15% by 2035.

Institutional Challenges

Establishing global standards has been a key institutional challenge. However, progress by 2025 paved the way for more efficient certification and trade, ensuring that hydrogen meets sustainable criteria.

Looking to the Future

With COP30 in Belém and APEC 2025 in Peru on the horizon, a global hydrogen market with clear rules and technological cooperation is expected to solidify. These events have the potential to further strengthen hydrogen's role in the energy transition.

Conclusion

The year 2025 has been pivotal for the development of hydrogen as a sustainable energy solution. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue fostering international collaboration and technological innovation to maximize its potential in the fight against climate change.

Thought of the Day: What is hydrogen as a fuel?

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and acts as an energy carrier. In fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), it releases electricity and heat, producing only water and steam as byproducts.

Hydrogen Production

Conventional Process: It is mainly produced from natural gas or coal through processes that emit carbon dioxide.

Clean Production (Green Hydrogen): It uses renewable electricity to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water through electrolysis.

Uses of Hydrogen

In vehicles such as buses, trucks, and cars (FCEVs).

It is also used in forklifts and industries such as fertilizer production and refining.

Historical Challenges

Low Efficiency: Only about 25% of the initial energy is usable.

Polluting Production: It is mainly generated using fossil fuels.

High Complexity: Its compression, storage, and transportation are complex processes.

How to Refuel an FCEV

Refueling a fuel cell vehicle is similar to refueling a gasoline car:

A hose is connected to a pressurized tank in the vehicle.

The compressed hydrogen fills the tank in just 3-5 minutes.

Weight and Comparison with Gasoline

Hydrogen is extremely lightweight, with a density of approximately 0.0899 kg/m³. To equal the energy of one liter of gasoline, approximately 1 kg of hydrogen is needed, but storing it requires large, robust tanks.

Flammability of Hydrogen

Yes, hydrogen is volatile and flammable. This necessitates strict safety protocols for its handling and storage.

Performance in Different Climate Conditions

Cold Climates: FCEVs perform well since they do not rely solely on batteries, whose range can be reduced.

Hot Climates: There is a greater risk of expansion in pressurized tanks, but modern systems have safety valves.

There is no specific information on performance at different altitudes.

What is an FCEV?

A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is an electric car that generates its own electricity using a fuel cell powered by hydrogen. Unlike conventional battery-powered vehicles, it uses compressed hydrogen stored in tanks to produce energy.

How an FCEV Works

Process: Hydrogen is mixed with oxygen in a fuel cell, which generates electricity.

Byproducts: The only byproduct is water, expelled through the exhaust.

Advantages: It offers a driving experience similar to electric vehicles but with faster refueling and a long range (500 to 666 km).

Current Situation and Outlook

Available Models: The Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo are some models available on the Spanish market. Other manufacturers are developing prototypes.

Infrastructure: The scarcity of hydrogen refueling stations is a challenge, although there are plans to significantly increase their number. Clean Production: To achieve true ecological sustainability, hydrogen must be mass-produced using renewable energy.

The adoption of hydrogen as a fuel faces challenges related to efficiency, cost, and infrastructure, but its potential for sustainable mobility remains significant.

A Night of Celestial Capture: An Adventure Journal

A few days ago, under a clear and generous sky, I pointed my telescope at three regions of the firmament that, although distant from one another, seemed to respond like verses of the same cosmic poem. Today I want to share not only the images I captured, but also what they whispered to me as I revealed them, pixel by pixel, like someone unveiling an ancient secret.

M15: The Ancient Swarm That Still Shines

M15 isn't a galaxy, but a globular cluster: a compact sphere of stars orbiting the halo of our own galaxy, the Milky Way. It's located in the constellation Pegasus and is one of the densest clusters we know of.

Observing M15 is like gazing at an ancient jewel, carved by time. Its stars are so close together that, at the center, the density is such that the presence of a black hole is suspected. And yet, from here, what we see is a soft, almost maternal glow.

It's a reminder that old doesn't mean dull. That there is wisdom in accumulation, and beauty in permanence. That even in the most ancient corners of the cosmos, light still finds its way to us.

NGC 925: The Spiral That Dances with Asymmetry

NGC 925 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Triangulum, about 30 million light-years away. But beyond the numbers, what captivated me was its shape: it's not a perfect spiral, but a slightly off-kilter dance, as if the universe had decided to improvise a choreography.

Its arms unfurl with an irregular grace, as if in perpetual motion, reminding us that beauty doesn't always reside in symmetry, but in life that dares to deviate from the mold. At its core, a luminous bar seems to hold the balance of the entire structure, like the heart of an idea still taking shape.

Looking at it is like reading a letter written millions of years ago, where each trace of light is a word still traveling toward us.

NGC 891: The Thinness of a Universe in Profile

NGC 891, in the constellation Andromeda, is a spiral galaxy seen edge-on. To the naked eye, it appears as a line of light suspended in the darkness, but upon closer inspection, it reveals itself as a complex structure, bisected by a dark band of interstellar dust that divides it like a scar.

It's impossible not to reflect on the fragility of things when observing a galaxy like this. Seen head-on, it would be a majestic spiral; Seen edge-on, it's an almost invisible line. How many wonders do we miss simply because they aren't facing us?

NGC 891 reminded me that perspective is everything. That even what seems thin, fragile, or insignificant can contain billions of stars, stories, possibilities.

A Night of Celestial Capture: An Adventure Journal

This session was a Messier and NGC marathon, focused on exploring some of the most fascinating deep-sky objects. Here's a quick rundown of my objectives:

Open Clusters: M39 and M29 (Cygnus Constellation)

M39 (NGC 7092): This is a relatively nearby open cluster (about 800-1000 light-years away) in the constellation of Cygnus. It is a grouping of bright, young stars that are slowly dispersing. In the photos, it looks like a cluster of jewels scattered on dark velvet.

M29 (NGC 6913): Also in Cygnus, M29 is another open cluster whose distance is somewhat uncertain (between 4,000 and 7,000 light-years) due to the large amount of interstellar dust surrounding it. Capturing its stars shrouded in cosmic haze is a worthwhile challenge.

Globular Clusters: M71, M56, and M92

M71 (NGC 6838): Located in the constellation of Sagitta. For a long time, there was debate about whether it was a very dense open cluster or a globular cluster, but today it is considered a relatively scattered globular cluster, about 9 to 10 billion years old.

M56 (NGC 6779): A globular cluster in the constellation Lyra. Unlike other globular clusters, which have a very bright center, M56 is one of the dimmest Messier clusters, making it a subtle and beautiful target. It is located about 32,900 light-years away.

M92 (NGC 6341): A marvel in Hercules! This is one of the brightest and oldest globular clusters in the Northern Hemisphere. Although often overshadowed by the more famous M13, M92 is spectacular in its own right, a dense sphere of stars about 26,000 light-years away.

My Favorite of the Night! The Perseus Double Cluster

My big win of the night, and the one I'm most proud of, is capturing the Perseus Double Cluster, formed by NGC 869 and NGC 884.

This pair is visible to the naked eye and is a delight for any amateur astronomer. Both are very young open clusters (only about 13 million years old) and are located about 7,600 light-years away in the constellation of Perseus.

What makes my image so special is that I've managed to process the two clusters so they look perfectly defined and distinct in a single wide-field shot. The composition of young, blue stars that dominate both clusters is simply stunning. Proof that patience in astrophotography always pays off!

Which of these objects is your favorite to photograph? Let me know in the comments!

Akatsuki mission end. Hatsune Miku and Venus: A Hologram Among the Stars

I never thought I'd write this: we've lost Hatsune Miku in space.

After more than a year of silence, the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) has confirmed the end of the Akatsuki mission, the probe that orbited Venus since 2010. But this wasn't just any spacecraft: it carried more than 13,000 messages and drawings from Hatsune Miku fans, engraved on aluminium plates as part of a campaign to unite science and culture.

Miku, the virtual idol who has sung in real and holographic settings, became a symbolic crew member. She was a digital ambassador who helped connect new generations with space exploration. Her image, her synthesised voice, her pixelated presence, served as a bridge between scientific wonder and people's passion.

Today, her mission has ended. The probe stopped responding in April 2024, and after multiple attempts to reconnect, JAXA has officially closed the chapter.

It's a strangely poetic ending: a pop star made of pixels, now a technological ghost, silently orbiting an inhospitable planet. An eternal dance in the atmosphere of Venus.

This gesture wasn't just a publicity stunt. It was a brilliant way to remind us that science can also be emotional, symbolic, and human. That even at the farthest reaches of the solar system, we carry with us our stories, our voices, our dreams.

AI-generated image

Although the Akatsuki mission has concluded, Miku's presence on Venus hasn't. Those aluminium plates will likely outlast us, outlast the probe itself. They are time capsules that carry the essence of a global community, a testament to the digital culture of the early 21st century.

In that sense, Miku isn't lost; she's stayed like a silent monument to our shared imagination.

This gesture, beyond its symbolic nature, sets a fascinating precedent. It's not the first time we've sent culture into space—the Voyager probes' golden records are the most famous example—but it is the first time a figure created entirely by technology has done so.

This forces us to ask: Will digital ambassadors like Miku, the "holograms among the stars," be the new spokespersons for humanity?

Imagine missions to Mars that carry Earth's digital libraries with them, or that use virtual characters, created by artificial intelligence, to make scientific reports more accessible and exciting.

Miku, with her silent dance around Venus, is not just a memory. She is the prototype of this new way of exploring. She demonstrated that technology can be the strongest bridge between scientific wonder and collective emotion.

And perhaps, right now, somewhere in the turbulent Venusian atmosphere, a ray of sunlight reflects a pixel off that aluminium plate, and the echo of a pop song, created more than a decade ago, continues to resonate in the vastness.