‘The hydrogen economy’ focus of SC science lecture

The projected “hydrogen economy” will be the focus of a lecture scheduled next week as part of Sheridan College’s Science Museum Lecture series.

The Zoom Webinar will be presented starting at 7 p.m. March 24 at www.sheridan.edu/lecture.

Wyoming and the nation are facing a transition from the fossil fuel economy, which started in the mid-1700s, to a future economy based primarily upon nuclear and renewable electricity. In order to store and transport large amounts of that electricity, an energy carrier will be needed, and hydrogen is being touted by many countries as the best alternative to be that carrier, because it is essentially pollution free.

Robert McDowell, who is a catalyst consultant, will provide a brief description of what this proposed hydrogen economy may be like and cover some of the issues Wyoming will face during the transition.

McDowell received his bachelor of science degree from Villanova University while working in the research and development group of Johnson Matthey, the world’s largest automotive catalyst company. He was part of the team that brought the first three-way catalyst from concept into production and has manufactured emission control catalysts on four continents.

He currently advises a diverse set of clients working in research and development and prototyping areas including lithium ion batteries, biofuels and precious metal recycling as well as emission control catalysts.