Yes, but sadly still somewhat difficult to come by. You can't just pipe it out of the sun. For fuel cells it is currently created using electrolysis, which uses massive amounts of power. Much, much more than the fuel cell produces in the automobile. The electricity has to come from somewhere: generated by dams, coal fired power plants, nuclear plants, etc. Taking thousands of watts of power from these sources to transfer into dozens of watts in the hydrogen fuel cell engine is where the inefficiency comes from.
David
of ID
@
Dec 12, 2008 20:56:25 PM
Civil Engineering
I found it to be a good long term career. Professional Registration is still more important for career growth than a Post grad degree. I would still recommend getting one. Plan on being a Project Manager for age 40 on so engineering economic will be more value to you than calculus most of your career.
Your career will last a lot longer than you expect. I retired at age 63 just to come back for the big money as a Consultant.
San Antonio Craig
of TX
@
Dec 12, 2008 20:49:51 PM
hydrogen cars
seeing as how hydrogen cars use more energy converting the hydrogen to a usable fuel than simply using gasoline, I'd say they're pretty much a waste of time. and am i the only one who thinks today's car are incredibly ugly?
Nathan
of TX
@
Dec 12, 2008 19:45:04 PM
How are hydrogen powered cars a waste of time?
It's the most abundant element in the UNIVERSE, and not too hard to get a hold of. It is not much more efficient than gasoline right now, save the fact that it is better on the environment as long as we can condense the water vapor it produces. But think of how efficient the gasoline-powered vehicles were only a few years ago. Hydrogen is one of the better choices right now, instead of wasting electricity, that is unless we can figure out a better way to produce it or make cars that last longer/perform better on it.
Corey
of KY
@
Dec 12, 2008 19:30:21 PM
Hydrogen powered cars are a waste of time
The subject says it all. The very concept itself is flawed; replacing one inefficient energy currency (gasoline) with another, only slightly less inefficient energy currency (hydrogen) is a waste of time. The problem of developing an entirely new sale and distribution system for this hydrogen is staggering in its magnitude; it would take dozens of years and trillions of dollars to implement. Of course that assumes that there will be affordable fuel cell vehicles to use the stations and drive growth, which there aren't and won't be for dozens of years. The entire market wouldn't turn a profit for generations. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a favorite topic of the auto makers and politicians because they seem like a cool idea, but are so far off that they don't require any serious, immediate action or change from business-as-usual. Thus, they are a perfect distraction.
Luckily, there is an alternative track: traditional and hybrid-electric vehicles which utilize the current energy currency (gasoline) and distribution system, but with increasingly more efficiently, until they get supplanted by fully-electric-hybrids and eventually fully-electric vehicles. Thus, you phase out inefficient energy conversion entirely. While the implementation of practical electric vehicles is currently hobbled by weak battery technology, battery development is getting driven by multiple established and profitable industries (namely, the electronics, power storage and the automobile industries) and will accelerate much faster than innovation in the automobile fuel cell industry, which is and will remain a no-profit industry.
of CA
@
Dec 12, 2008 18:59:59 PM
Civil Engineers? Electrical Engineers too?
What about civil engineers? Sure because the economy is devastating, and house values are difficult to determine, but really what about the common engineers of the branch? Sure with new resources, I think civil engineers will be needed to build dams, and bridges to alternate new energy. What about Electrical engineers? they have a good chance to expand their solar energy for the bright future.
Lance
of CA
@
Dec 12, 2008 18:56:05 PM
Elecrical Engineer
I am a Biomedical Engineer, but I know how much demand is there for Electrical Engineers, Computer Scientist, and Computer Engineers..... Engineers = great start salary... little growth.... bad economy times = first to be laid off. Engineering with MBA is everything
Salan
of GA
@
Dec 12, 2008 18:50:10 PM
E ngineering - Perfect Platform
Managers rule the world not engineers.
If you are interesting in leading people and have an engineering degree, the sky is the limit...
from a Chem E
Don't worry Chemical Engineering???, Chem E's are expected to be able to do everything (ME, EE, CE, etc.) You will be fine ;)!
Chem E 3M
of
@
Dec 12, 2008 18:44:05 PM
Chemical Engineering???
What about Chemical Engineering? I'm working on getting my B.S. in Chemical Engineering but whenever I read articles about engineering there would be no mention of chemical? Why is that? I'm pretty sure its as important as other Engineering professions right?
Marilou
of PA
@
Dec 12, 2008 18:25:58 PM
Be Careful
As an engineer of 20 years be careful where you work. Many companies feel it's easier/cheaper to have design work done overseas. Many highly skilled engineers drift into Program Management jobs to babysit overseas vendors and do very little "engineering". If you are lucky to get in with a cool company driven by design you will probably be happier. Even after 20 years, I still enjoy solving puzzles and making things. Just dont expect to rise to the top of a company as an engineer...doesnt happen very often. We still get the coolest software!
David of ID @ Dec 12, 2008 20:56:25 PM
San Antonio Craig of TX @ Dec 12, 2008 20:49:51 PM
Nathan of TX @ Dec 12, 2008 19:45:04 PM
Corey of KY @ Dec 12, 2008 19:30:21 PM
of CA @ Dec 12, 2008 18:59:59 PM
Lance of CA @ Dec 12, 2008 18:56:05 PM
Salan of GA @ Dec 12, 2008 18:50:10 PM
Chem E 3M of @ Dec 12, 2008 18:44:05 PM
Marilou of PA @ Dec 12, 2008 18:25:58 PM
of @ Dec 12, 2008 18:08:38 PM
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