Aaron Hoskin - Metal Hydride Catalysts, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Name: Aaron Hoskin
Field of Expertise: Metal Hydride Catalysts, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Education: Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry/Catalysis, University of Windsor
Works at: Natural Resources Canada, CanmetEnergy in Ottawa, Ontario
What he studies
Dr. Hoskin works with Canadian researchers in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell industry, to address technical challenges for the near term use of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in transportation and energy storage systems. Unlike power sources that use fossil fuels, the by-products from an operating fuel cell are heat and water. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and, in the process, produces electricity. Dr. Hoskin’s work includes overcoming the barriers for the safe, effective and efficient production and storage of hydrogen, as well as developing new cost effective methods and materials for fuel cells.
What is the importance of his research?
In 2008, the transportation sector accounted for 37% of Canada’s Greenhouse Gas emissions (179.4 Mt), making it the largest source of emissions in the country. Fuel Cell vehicles (FCV) produce at least 60% less CO2, and 100% less particle emissions, than conventional vehicles on a life cycle basis, and zero emissions from the tailpipe. Dr. Hoskin’s work will assist in the large scale roll out of FCV’s, helping the Government of Canada meet targeted emissions regulations, and a 20% reduction of CO2 by 2020.
Interesting fact
Strategic investments in fuel cell research and development by the Government of Canada led to the creation of thousands of green jobs in the fuel cell industry. Canada is now considered a world leader in the field. In fact, Mercedes Benz has recently decided to capitalize on this expertise by opening its global fuel cell manufacturing centre in British Columbia.
Current research projects
Dr. Hoskin is currently collaborating with the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC) to develop next generation Fuel Cells which will be reduced in cost by two-thirds, with an improvement in durability. He also participates in the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Implementing Agreement Annex on Hydrogen Safety.
Key publications:
K.W. Harrison; R. Remick; G.D. Martin; A. Hoskin Hydrogen Production: Fundamentals and Case Study Summaries in 18th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2010 - WHEC 2010 : Parallel Sessions Book 3: Hydrogen Production Technologies - Part 2 / Detlef Stolten, Thomas Grube (Ed.) Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Zentralbibliothek, Verlag : 2010 ; WHEC, May 16.-21. 2010, Essen ; 3 Series/Report no.: Schriften des Forschungszentrums Jülich / Energy & Environment.
J.D. Masuda, A.J. Hoskin, T.W. Graham, C.L. Beddie, M.C. Fermin, N. Etkin D.W. Stephan , Catalytic P-H Activation by Ti and Zr Catalysts, Chem. Eur. J. 8696-8707 , 2006.
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