No abstract

Hydrogen is a notoriously difficult substance to store yet has endless energy applications. Thus, the study of long-term hydrogen storage, and high-pressure bulk hydrogen storage have been the subject of much research in the last several years. To create a research path forward, it is important to know what research has already been done, and what is already known about hydrogen storage. In this review, several approaches to hydrogen storage are addressed, including high-pressure storage, cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, and metal hydride absorption. Challenges and advantages are offered based on reported research findings. Since the project looks closely at advanced manufacturing, techniques for the same are outlined as well. There are seven main categories into which most rapid prototyping styles fall. Each is briefly explained and illustrated as well as some generally accepted advantages and drawbacks to each style. An overview of hydrogen adsorption on metal hydrides, carbon fibers, and carbon nanotubes are presented. The hydrogen storage capacities of these materials are discussed as well as the differing conditions in which the adsorption was performed under. Concepts regarding storage shape and materials accompanied by smaller-scale advanced manufacturing options for hydrogen storage are also presented.

Although New Zealand bridges performed well structurally during recent Canterbury earthquakes, some critical arterial routes lost their functionality. Life Safety is still our primary objective but nowadays we are moving towards new societal needs which also, at minimum, aim to limit business disruption. Building designers are already moving towards low-damage system technology for both structural and non-structural components. Bridge engineers have to inherit those enhanced concepts and technologies. In fact, in order to protect the economy and save lives, it is vital that bridges remain drivable after a natural disaster, such as an earthquake. More importantly asset managers and networks’ owners want rapid response, design flexibility, quick construction and limited maintenance costs. This should be possible to be achieved by contractors and designers with limited budgets. In very populated urban centres or a critical network location and moderate-to-high seismicity an Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technology which combines durable materials and low-damage technology, seems to be the only viable solution to minimize traffic disruption during the bridge life. The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) started in 2002 a long-term strategic bridge plan which aims to cover all these issues. Similar research strategy was initiated in Japan, Taiwan and Europe which is slowly going towards adaptation of ABC as a standard bridge practice. The question would be what is New Zealand vision for the next twenty-thirty years? This paper aims to overview the current international trends and challenges and gives innovative concepts which can be contextualized for New Zealand bridges.

No abstract