Sorry Tony, the bank notes are an application of a material.

The material was developed by a chemist in a polymer lab.

>>The material was developed by a chemist in a polymer lab.<<

Yes: a CSIRO chemist in a CSIRO polymer lab. From the CSIRO website:

>>CSIRO’s expertise in polymer and synthetic chemistry was used to develop a non-fibrous and non-porous plastic film, which the banknotes are printed on.<<

Cheers,

Tony

Again I must refer to very old technology. We were able to produce hydrogen long before we had electricity and or electrolysis? The older method blew up a few labs and therefore was junked in favour of electrolysis? The addition of Co2 into the flow sheet eliminated most of the explosive consequences. The advantage of the method which cracks the water molecule, is the fact that it could be done very cheaply utilising endlessly available ocean water; and equally endless solar thermal power, in a flameless process thoroughly tamed with modern technology?
I mean, we already crack the hydrocarbon in near city refineries; to produce various even more volatile fuel, petrol, diesel and avgas! Nonetheless, if current electrolysis is preferred; then it can be made cheaper utilising cobalt as an assisting catalyst.
One of the current problems with hydrogen is, there are around 20% energy losses, when the hydrogen is fed into your fuel cell.
However, adding a cobalt catalyst into the electrolysis production side, [proven science,] halves the energy requirement input for the same energy output production; meaning, we could conceivably set up a completely closed cycle system of much less weight and size of a conventional combustion engine; and, actually obtain a net energy return of around 30%, from an enhanced catalyst assisted process.
Imagine, current petrol engines burn up to 85% of the available calorific energy spinning the flywheel and transmission, with only around 15% spinning the wheels.
What sort of power and torque would we obtain, if we could apply; say 25%, to the driving wheels, with the remaining 5% reserved for battery recharging, lights, air conditioning, and inboard entertainment?
There is a very real possibility that we could create a system as described, and never ever have to refuel the family wagon again? Imagine, no refuelling and no emissions travel, with only tyre and battery changes required? Oil peak? So what? Rhrosty.

Yes Graham, sooner or later we will have to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, whether people believe in AGW or not.

Oreskes puts it well to Nick Minchin here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZQNiDIBxO4

In fact, Ullrich Ecker and John Cook have an interesting take on the episode in "The Conversation":

http://theconversation.edu.au/no-one-likes-to-change-their-mind-not-even-on-climate-6674

Quite frankly, I for one found 'I Can Change Your Mind About Climate Change' as predictable as the comments that followed.

This article is like a breath of fresh air.
Wouldn't it be great to think that government and industry could get their respective acts together in the spirit of cooperation and necessity and find sustainable solutions.

We've got a long way to go, but it's nice to know that some of those at the cutting edge of research and development realise the exigencies inherent in our predicament.

(Hiya, bonmot - good article link :)

Wow, that's pretty good Tony, what did they do for the rest of the month. If producing a bit of plastic paper is their great claim to fame this year, when do we shut them down, for wasting millions.

Rhrosty, your well up with all this pie in the sky stuff, aren't you. Having too many ideas & chasing them is a sure way to find yourself with only your tail in your mouth in the long run.

I do rather like the idea of using algae to produce fuel, fed by power house CO2, & it could make productive much of our desert areas, however the other greenies will give hell if you try doing anything useful out there.

As for hydrogen, talk to Honda. They have spent hundreds of millions trying to develop a safe way of using the stuff, without a pay day. What makes you think a bunch of public servants will do any better?

When it's cheaper, & produces more power from my dollars worth, call me, otherwise it's just another pipe dream. Great for private investment, but keep my taxes out of it thanks.