The Hydrogen-Water Paradigm triptych.
Genesis of Art Piece
This triptych was created over a period of time, however it coalesced after 2003, when then President George W. Bush declared that hydrogen was the “fuel of the future”.
His primary intention was to concentrate entirely on hydrogen vehicles. Probably, the least practical and most difficult to implement of all possible hydrogen uses. The main beneficiaries were the large oil companies in Houston with $1.2 billion in federal funds.
As of 2020, the majority of the large global industrial hydrogen demand is still being produced from fossil fuels by steam reforming of natural gas, partial oxidation of methane, and coal gasification.
His primary intention was to concentrate entirely on hydrogen vehicles. Probably, the least practical and most difficult to implement of all possible hydrogen uses. The main beneficiaries were the large oil companies in Houston with $1.2 billion in federal funds.
As of 2020, the majority of the large global industrial hydrogen demand is still being produced from fossil fuels by steam reforming of natural gas, partial oxidation of methane, and coal gasification.
Focus
This triptych is focused on the Hydrogen-Water Paradigm and Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Each of the three pieces of art illustrates another aspect of this technology. All three, when viewed together communicate a comprehensive understanding of the technology and concept.
Top graphic:
Shows George W Bush in 2003, proudly proclaiming that “hydrogen is fuel of the future”.
Triptych Panel 1
The birth of the Hydrogen fuel cell.
Arguably a 100 years from now the main accomplishment of the Apollo project’s trip to the moon will be the first practical application of a hydrogen fuel cell. The other technologies were also outstanding accomplishments, and advanced many engineering fields. However, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell will undoubtedly be one of the main source of electrical energy in the future. The birth of the Hydrogen fuel cell.
This panel focuses on the Apollo moon project, the artist Stephen Bornstein actually worked for Grumman on the lunar exploratory module (LEM), Itself a unique piece of engineering.
One of its firsts, among many, is to be the first vehicle designed entirely for use outside of the Earth’s environment.
In the center is the Apollo command and service module, connected to it is the lunar lander.
The concept of using hydrogen and oxygen for both rocket fuel and electricity was a bold initiative. Nothing even close to it had ever been attempted before.
The Hydrogen fuel-cell had actually been invented in 1838 and used by NASA to power satellites since the early 1960’s. However their use in the Apollo space program and later the space shuttle was to be its most important use.
The lower right hand corner illustration shows the figure eight shaped trip to the moon and back as well as the various acrobatic steps that were necessary to get the lunar lander to the moon’s surface and back up into Lunar orbit again.
The hydrogen and oxygen on board was for the rocket fuel needed to power the ship the entire distance as well as supply all the necessary electricity.
The concept of using hydrogen and oxygen for both rocket fuel and electricity was a bold initiative. Nothing even close to it had ever been attempted before.
The Hydrogen fuel-cell had actually been invented in 1838 and used by NASA to power satellites since the early 1960’s. However their use in the Apollo space program and later the space shuttle was to be its most important use.
The lower right hand corner illustration shows the figure eight shaped trip to the moon and back as well as the various acrobatic steps that were necessary to get the lunar lander to the moon’s surface and back up into Lunar orbit again.
The hydrogen and oxygen on board was for the rocket fuel needed to power the ship the entire distance as well as supply all the necessary electricity.
At the bottom is a Faux Latin-Greek inspired paradigm.
“AQUIUS - ELECTRICUS - SEPARATUS - ENERGETECUS”
“Water-Electricity-Separation-Energy”
If it was Real Latin it would be:
“Aqua, Electricae, Separatio, Industria”
Triptych Panel 2
This panel focuses on the hydrogen fuel cell process itself.
This panel focuses on the hydrogen fuel cell process itself.
The main graphic shows how water is transformed into hydrogen and oxygen in nature through lightning, which represents electricity.
At the very top of the cycle is the water molecule. The molecule turns into droplets, the droplets turn into clouds. Lightning passes through the clouds, and the water molecule separates into oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
The two molecules pass through a PEM barrier. The oxygen passes through uninhibited. Hydrogen is stripped of its sole electron.
Which then proceeds alone around the barrier to re-join it’s original atom on the other side.
This flow of electrons is what creates electricity.
Two Hydrogens, newly reunited, rejoins one Oxygen to form water.
And the process starts a new.
Behind the “Hydrogen Paradigm” illustration is the Apollo mission spaceship, which proved it works.
In the lower right hand corner is the PEM, “Proton Exchange Membrane” and Hydrogen’s sole electron circling, creating electricity.
At the very top of the cycle is the water molecule. The molecule turns into droplets, the droplets turn into clouds. Lightning passes through the clouds, and the water molecule separates into oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
The two molecules pass through a PEM barrier. The oxygen passes through uninhibited. Hydrogen is stripped of its sole electron.
Which then proceeds alone around the barrier to re-join it’s original atom on the other side.
This flow of electrons is what creates electricity.
Two Hydrogens, newly reunited, rejoins one Oxygen to form water.
And the process starts a new.
Behind the “Hydrogen Paradigm” illustration is the Apollo mission spaceship, which proved it works.
In the lower right hand corner is the PEM, “Proton Exchange Membrane” and Hydrogen’s sole electron circling, creating electricity.
Triptych Panel 3
This panel’s illustration further develops the Hydrogen Water Paradigm. It clearly shows how the two atoms are separated from water by lightning, and pass through the PEM Membrane. And how Hydrogen reforms to re-join Oxygen In water.
In the lower right hand corner is the PEM membrane itself. Clearly stripping the Atom of its sole electron.
Hydrogen’s temporary disfranchised electron circling, turning into electrical energy.
In the lower right hand corner is the PEM membrane itself. Clearly stripping the Atom of its sole electron.
Hydrogen’s temporary disfranchised electron circling, turning into electrical energy.
The sculpture of the space shuttle
The sculpture is
of the space shuttle which also used a hydrogen fuel cell for all of its
electrical needs. It limited how long it could remain parked at the
space station so as not to draw the station's solar powered electricity.
The fuel-cell always functioned flawlessly. That was never the problem.
The sculpture itself, is actually made out of an aluminum soda can. The actual full size craft is also fabricated from aluminum.
Perhaps this was a another symbol of America’s arrogance that NASA could use such a flimsy material to create a larger craft and get away with it.
A 5lb. Piece of Styrofoam insulation pierced the leading edge of the wing of the “Columbia” in 2003, destroying it on a fiery reentry.
After two were destroyed, the entire fleet eventually was retired.
The fuel-cell always functioned flawlessly. That was never the problem.
The sculpture itself, is actually made out of an aluminum soda can. The actual full size craft is also fabricated from aluminum.
Perhaps this was a another symbol of America’s arrogance that NASA could use such a flimsy material to create a larger craft and get away with it.
A 5lb. Piece of Styrofoam insulation pierced the leading edge of the wing of the “Columbia” in 2003, destroying it on a fiery reentry.
After two were destroyed, the entire fleet eventually was retired.
Artist’s 2021 update;
The Artist is a strong advocate for the use of Hydrogen.
For
a 2021 created Overview on how Hydrogen can halt global warming by
replacing fossil fuels to generate abundant, inexpensive, and totally
clean electricity.
For 2021 “Ted-like”
technical presentation
technical presentation
About
the artist's connection with the space program:
Stephen Bornstein actually worked for Grumman Aircraft
between 1967 and 1972.
 | ||
| Bornstein helped created a maintenance manual for Grumman's LEM fleet of 15, |
 |
| The LEM operated on batteries, unlike the command module, which used a Hydrogen Fuel Cell (its first practical application) |
Bornstein's principal area of expertise.
 |
| The OV-1, the Mohawk was one of the last fixed wing aircraft operated by the Army Aircorp |
His principal area of expertise was the Army’s
Air corps OV-1. “The Mohawk”. Originally an observation plane. However,
because it could fly so slow and so low, in Vietnam, the plane was
usually stripped of its photography equipment and retrofitted with
machine guns in Vietnam. It earned the nickname the “Widow Maker”.
 | |
|
Bornstein‘s
job was to create illustrations for manuals that could turn a
conscripted soldier into a repair mechanic in six weeks.
 |
| The plane could fly very slow and very low which made it idea for ground troop support. It also could be brought down with a handgun. |
Because
the plane was always undergoing revisions, Bornstein could leave his job
and then reapply in two months on several occasions. Only he really
knew what was going on with the revised hydraulics at any particular
time.
And so, he was lent to the Aerospace Division on and off for 18 months. During that time his job was to create manuals for maintenance of the “Lunar Exploratory Module” the LEM.
Fifteen were built, and 10 flew between 1968 and 1972. Battery Recharging cables, Rubber seals around doors and windows, routine lubrication, just like a complex RV owner’ s manual.
Bornstein was too focused on Grumman’s lunar vehicle to even notice that North American Rockwells Command Module was powered by hydrogen fuel cell.
However, Bornstein did see a copy of a joke invoice of $675,000. from Grumman to North American Rockwell for towing to the moon and back, after the 1970 Apollo 13 explosion and it was the lunar module that enabled the three men to return home.
And so, he was lent to the Aerospace Division on and off for 18 months. During that time his job was to create manuals for maintenance of the “Lunar Exploratory Module” the LEM.
Fifteen were built, and 10 flew between 1968 and 1972. Battery Recharging cables, Rubber seals around doors and windows, routine lubrication, just like a complex RV owner’ s manual.
Bornstein was too focused on Grumman’s lunar vehicle to even notice that North American Rockwells Command Module was powered by hydrogen fuel cell.
However, Bornstein did see a copy of a joke invoice of $675,000. from Grumman to North American Rockwell for towing to the moon and back, after the 1970 Apollo 13 explosion and it was the lunar module that enabled the three men to return home.
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