MTSUs Hydrogen-Solar Car Gets Boost From Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Louisville, KY (PRWEB) January 21, 2012

Since childhood, Cliff Ricketts has had a passion for locating a way to fuel engines with hydrogen derived from water. As a professor of agriscience at Middle Tennessee State University, hes been working on several alternative fuels for the better component of 35 years, coming ever closer to his ultimate goal.

Now, thanks to a $ 15,000 grant from Farm Credit Services of Mid-America which triggered matching funds from the University, Ricketts and a group of student volunteers will be making a coast-to-coast trip throughout spring break in a vehicle powered only by hydrogen, solar energy, and ten gallons of cellulosic ethanol.

This investigation has some direct implications for American agriculture, and thats why I appreciate Farm Credits donation, said Ricketts. We wouldnt be able to make this trip without their help.

Jack Swanson, Assistant Vice President for Farm Credit, presenting a $ 15,000 check to Dr. Cliff Ricketts, Professor of Agricultural Education, Middle Tennessee State University for the fuel investigation system.

The trip will begin in early March in Savannah, GA in a converted Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. On each and every 750-mile leg of the trip, the 1st 100 miles will be powered by solar energy, followed by 200 miles of hydrogen gas power. The subsequent 350 miles will be fueled by 85 percent cellulosic ethanol, with the last 100 miles coming from on-board regeneration of the solar-powered batteries. Then the car will be refilled with hydrogen and re-charged solar batteries from an accompanying mobile refueling station that is loaded on a truck and trailer manned by the students. 5 days later the auto and help crew will roll into Lengthy Beach, CA. I figure nicely average about 60 miles per hour, mentioned Ricketts. A automobile powered by hydrogen runs just as nicely as 1 powered by gasoline.

Despite the fact that Ricketts investigation has obvious broad implications, the original motivation for it began in 1978 for the duration of the Iranian hostage scenario and resulting power crisis, when it was feared that American farmers may not have fuel to harvest their crops. He originally began experimenting with ethanol, then moved on to methane that had been derived from cow manure, then to biodiesel. In 1987, he finally was able commence a Briggs &amp Stratton engine with hydrogen that had been obtained from a procedure known as electrolysis. Subsequent study led to the development of a car that set a land speed record for hydrogen-powered vehicles on Utahs Bonneville Salt Flats in 1992, a record that stood for 15 years. (Incidentally, this car was sponsored by the Murfreesboro PCA, a forerunner of Farm Credit Services).

Ricketts readily acknowledges that making hydrogen from water is not yet price competitive with gasoline, but he feels that in instances of national emergencies it could serve as a viable backup source of power. Correspondingly, he feels that his study has important implications for international peace, the American economy, the atmosphere, and national security.

A single of Ricketts former student volunteers is Jack Swanson, now an assistant vice president for Farm Credit, based out of the ag lending cooperatives Lebanon, TN field office. Swanson can nevertheless readily determine with his present-day counterparts.

Those students arent receiving any income or grades for helping with this project, mentioned Swanson. They do it since they like Doc and the study he does.

In a twist of fate, Swanson later became the lending officer for Ricketts, who raises beef cattle on the side and whose family members has received a Heritage Farm Award as 50-year, third-generation Farm Credit buyers. In the course of performing company, Swanson would usually ask his old prof about his family and his study, and learned of Ricketts require for funding for this phase of the project.

When I heard about it, I couldnt think of something that would be a much better use of our stewardship funds, mentioned Swanson. I feel our stewardship plan is a single of the a lot more essential things we do as an agricultural lender, and the crux of Dr. Ricketts system is to help make the U.S. power independent. Its part of our mission to give back some of our earnings to those programs that fuel the future of agriculture.

Despite the fact that running coast to coast on nothing but hydrogen, sun and ethanol will be a real shining moment, Ricketts has plans to best that in the summer of 2013, creating the exact same trip on hydrogen from water and solar energy alone. No targets, no glory, he smiled.

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $ 18 billion economic services cooperative serving over 92,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association supplies loans for all farm and rural living purposes which includes such as real estate, operating loans,equipment loans, and housing loans. FCS also gives an array of financial services, such as crop insurance and leases. For much more details about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or go to them on the internet at http://www.e-farmcredit.com.

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