The state of South Carolina, through intensive research and public/private partnerships, is positioning itself to be a major player in the "hydrogen economy."
Can South Carolina attract the right brainpower to become a leader in the "hydrogen economy"? To be to hydrogen what the Silicon Valley is to computers?
It doesn't hurt that South Carolina has a growing economy - and yes, the weather is nice.
But there are other reasons South Carolina's high-stakes gambit might succeed:
• South Carolina's approach is a statewide one, with public and private cooperation.
• University of South Carolina (USC) researchers have been breaking ground in hydrogen fuel cell research for several years.
• USC for four years has been home to the country's only National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells.
• The state has something few others have - a former nuclear weapons plant with 50 years of experience in producing and storing hydrogen.
• Clemson University's automotive research campus in Greenville, CU-ICAR, is getting ready to provide real-world testing for fuel cells developed for automobiles.
• Clemson scientists have contributed major breakthroughs in improving membranes necessary for fuel cells.
• The state's fledgling endowed chairs program is providing the real money it takes to attract more top researchers.
Thanks to A. Lamar Calloway
