California Fuel Cell Partnership opens new slogan contest
Here's what you can win in the new California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) slogan contest: a fuel cell model kit and your words on the new CaFCP t-shirt.
Here's what probably won't get chosen: anything that slams hydrogen as a viable alternative for automotive use because of the lack of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure or because the cars are too expensive.
Yes, the CaFCP is looking for help in broadcasting their pro-hydrogen message through the medium of T-shirts. If you're interested in pitching your own idea, head on over to this site and pair up a picture with your slogan idea. The CaFCP says they're looking for something "short and catchy," and what else would we expect from a T-shirt? Submissions will be accepted until August 28th. The best entries will be posted on September 1 and then voting will be open for one week. If you go and submit something, feel free to share it in the comments.
FWIW, the Amazon price for the model kit is $90.
[Source: CaFCP]
CONTEST EMAIL:
FCV&H2 T-shirt Contest
Win a fuel cell model kit!Put your clever idea on the chests of people everywhere!
- Step 1: Go to our website. (http://www.cafcp.org/tshirtcontest)
- Step 2: Choose an illustration.
- Step 3: Write a short and catchy slogan.
- Step 4: Tell us who you are.
- Step 5: Repeat as often as you like with different slogans.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
NeilBlanchard 10:40AM (8/18/2009)
Hi,
My son got this kit as a gift a couple of years ago, and it is a lot of fun. Using the solar PV to generate the hydrogen works, but it takes a bit longer than using 2 AA batteries (that sit inside the base of the water tank).
The little balloon that holds the hydrogen has enough capacity to let the car run on flat ground for about 25 feet -- it will not set any land speed records, though.
This is a legit fuel cell drive model car, and my son and I learned a lot about hydrogen, including the limitations. It is fun to use, and I would recommend it, if you are so inclined.
Sincerely, Neil
Reply
Mark 2:59PM (8/18/2009)
He could have just got an electric car and powered the batteries by solar ;)
Doug 11:45AM (8/18/2009)
That's interesting. Would be nice to see how far the car could go if it ran off the AAs directly.
NeilBlanchard 12:03PM (8/18/2009)
Hi Doug,
That would be pretty easy to try out, actually. I'm sure that the 2 AA's would be a lot more vigorous and they would push it a LOT farther, too.
Hydrogen IS just a storage medium; not a fuel.
Sincerely, Neil
Doug 12:30PM (8/18/2009)
Thanks, Neil. That's what I was getting at.
Better yet, make a second kit. Replace the fuel cell with a rechargeable battery. Delete the H2 station, and connect the solar panels directly to the car.
Now take the two kits and compare:
- range for a given time the panels are in the sun
- top speed
- complexity of each kit
- cost of each kit
Should prove quite educational.
Patrick 3:04PM (8/18/2009)
That'd be an interesting experiment. I'm imagining the person with only batteries sitting around, waiting for the batteries to charge back up (used to have to do that with my remote controlled truck as a kid) while the person with hydrogen just refuels and continues to be able to zoom the car around (wish I had that option for my RC truck!).
And then maybe we'd all understand that you actually need to embrace the unique benefits of both batteries AND fuel cells because they're both electric and complement each other well on the same vehicle.
Serge 6:31PM (8/18/2009)
Patrick: you obviously need to get that kit to understand how it works. You can't "just refuel with hydrogen." You have to sit and wait for solar panels to electrolyze enough hydrogen to fill up the tank. While you wait, the battery RC car will make laps around since it needs 3 times less energy and, hence, time ;)
Chris M 6:39PM (8/18/2009)
Or they could compare how long it takes to make enough H2 to fill up that balloon to how long it takes to recharge the batteries, using the same power source. (hint, at 1/3 the efficiency, it'll take 3x longer. Whoops, I forgot the shorter range using the balloon, less energy storage, so maybe twice as long!)
Or they could use two batteries and two balloons, and compare the convenience of battery swapping to balloon swapping!
Or they could try just using their breath to inflate the balloon and propel the car with a jet of air through a nozzle. It would probably go faster and further...
While H2FC vehicles need batteries (the planned GM H2FCVs will be plug-in hybrids), battery vehicles don't need H2 at all.
Yanquetino 10:40AM (8/18/2009)
How 'bout...
"Buy from us and get gas."
Reply
paulwesterberg 10:54AM (8/18/2009)
Hydrogen cars are slow and boring compared to electric cars.
Creating hydrogen from solar cells is a waste of time and energy.
Reply
Brian 11:05AM (8/18/2009)
My slogan.
Hydrogen, It's highly inefficient.
Reply
PatrickS 3:14PM (8/18/2009)
"Hydrogen, because a having just batteries can leaf you stranded."
meme 4:07PM (8/18/2009)
Hydrogen: Because There's H2 Infrastructure Everywhere Keeping You From Getting Stranded, But Who Ever Heard Of A Power Outlet?
Spence 11:27AM (8/18/2009)
"Hydrogen! It's the Scientology of Cars!"
Reply
Serge 11:33AM (8/18/2009)
I chose Illustration 2, because it perfectly shows the enormous tax burden that will be born by all those faceless tax-cows to pay for the "hydrogen economy" for the benefit of the few.
My slogan submission, "Hydrogen, a perfect 'fuel' for those who like to spend other people's money."
Reply
paulwesterberg 12:18PM (8/18/2009)
Hydrogen cars, for people with more money than sense.
ebow 12:23PM (8/18/2009)
I chose picture 2 for the same reason as Serge, and then submitted the slogan, "Fantastical Fuel of the Future". I liked the range of meanings available at answers.com (http://www.answers.com/fantastical) and figured there's a chance it will slip by their sarcasm filters. Too bad I didn't write it as "FantastiCal" for the California tie-in.
jpm100 12:37PM (8/18/2009)
You know, a Fuel Cell vehicle is an EV with a replacable electrolyte (more or less) instead of using charging.
Personally I'd like to see research into reusable compounds. Basically instead of charging up, you tank up with an electrolyte and the old compound gets taken away and reused once its recycled. Eliminates some of the issues with a charging EV. I know its akin to replacing batteries, but to me that's a too cumbersome solution.
Reply
Serge 12:48PM (8/18/2009)
The whole article is great read, but you will be interested in the 4th paragraph in the summary section
http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/latest_research/2009/20090727/20090727.html
Nateb123 4:24PM (9/02/2009)
Look into flow batteries, especially the vanadium redox battery. I agree, why wait for a battery to recharge when you can just refill the battery with fresh electrolyte?