Method of forming a chemical composition

Abstract

A method of forming a chemical composition such as a chemical hydride is described and which includes the steps of selecting a composition having chemical bonds and which is capable of forming a chemical hydride; providing a source of hydrogen; and exposing the selected composition to an amount of ionizing radiation to encourage the changing of the chemical bonds of the selected composition, and chemically reacting the selected composition with the source of hydrogen to facilitate the formation of a chemical hydride.

1 . A method of forming a chemical hydride, comprising; 
 selecting a composition having chemical bonds and which is capable of forming a chemical hydride;    providing a source of hydrogen; and    exposing the selected composition to an amount of ionizing photonic radiation which facilitates the changing of the chemical bonds of the selected composition, and chemically reacting the selected composition with the source of hydrogen to facilitate the formation of a chemical hydride.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and further comprising; 
 after the step of providing a source of hydrogen, and before exposing the selected composition to an amount of ionizing radiation; providing a catalyst which encourages the selected composition to form the chemical hydride.    
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the selected composition comprises one or more elements selected from the periodic table of elements and which has an atomic number of greater than about 2.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the selected composition comprises one or more elements selected from the periodic table and which forms a resulting chemical hydride having at least about 3 weight percent of hydrogen.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the step of providing a source hydrogen comprises combining the selected composition with a source of water.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the selected composition includes oxygen, and wherein the step of exposing the selected composition to an amount of ionizing radiation changes the chemical bonds of the composition and facilitates the release of the oxygen from the selected composition.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the selected composition forms a resulting chemical hydride which will chemically react, when combined with water, to release hydrogen for use as a fuel.  
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the selected composition forms a resulting chemical hydride which will chemically react, when combined with water, and in the presence of a catalyst to release hydrogen for use as a fuel.  
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , and wherein the selected compound is borate, and ionizing radiation is derived from a nuclear power source.  
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein the chemical hydride is safe to handle and store.