Background Research

Background research is an exhaustive search of available prior art on a given technology. For a broad overview, works on the history of a technology are a great starting point. In the best case scenario, there is a significant body of online open source design that a current project could build on- such as already exists for open source 3D printing. Other sources include a scan of patents, academic literature, industry association publications, online forums and interest groups, work of appropriate technology groups, institutes, and foundations, and others.

1. Look up Wikipedia or Appropedia as a starting point.
2. Google the topic at hand. Select keywords directly related to search, such as "Open Source High Pressure Electrolyzer". The best case outcome is that an open source version exists, including a developer community, and that community can be tapped for a complete solution with OSE Spec. Sample results - [1] and [2], and [3] and [4]. 30 atm alkaline electrolyzer - [5].
3. Search USPTO patents and other patent databases for patents. Read them to see the ideas that have already been considered. Reviewing patents allows you to see the year when something has been developed- where anything 19 years and older is effectively open source.
4. Quantify the result to see if there are meaningful results, and if not, search deeper.
5. Procure phone numbers, make calls - regarding availability of data - and document in a commenting + upvoting interface such as Upvoting. Anyone can sign up for and use an instance of Disqus.
6. Conditions of satisfaction involve point-by-point meeting of OSE Specifications and documentation of such.
7. A list of critical parameters are identified for existing industry standards. Cost, LCA, fabrication, etc. Ex. Electrolyzer costs $1k/kW. For $3k we can have storage of H2 in PVC pipe - $1/watt for solar panels, $1k for an electrolyzer, and then we cook for free. [6] - up to 30 ATM.
8. Background research continues until open design is identified, or if not, a Design Rationale is constructed that embodies the critical elements of a workable design.
9. Reification is then proposed by providing sourcing information, building of parts, test-driven design, and other data collection until desirable results are obtained.

Sample Conclusion

30ATM alkaline electrolyzers are proven and available technology. [7]. Based on Hydrogen discussion, a maximum allowable tank size for a personal vehicle is 1 GGE - or about 27 hp hours. That is acceptable for a superefficient personal vehicle. The battery pack size for a Tesla is 80 hp-hr, at $15k so the hydrogen storage GGE/ESE is approximately 100x lower cost over an LCA time of 100 years than the Lithium Ion battery. The hydrogen storage is assumed to be 2400' of of 1" schedule 80 PVC pipe, based on 50-100 year PVC Lifetime.

Links

• How to do a Patent Search