Hydrogen expert shaken up by Quantum of Solace
Professor Ross with a model hydrogen-fuelled car
A Salford University professor has accused the latest James Bond film of "irresponsible scaremongering" for its depiction of hydrogen in the climactic final scene - comparing it to the 1937 Hindenburg disaster.
Professor Keith Ross has criticised the scene - in which hydrogen is seen to explode dramatically - for portraying the fuel as dangerous when, in fact, it can be handled quite safely.
He blames the infamous fire of the German airship Hindenburg for the public and film-makers' attitudes. While widely believed to be caused by hydrogen, the fire has, in fact, been attributed to the flammable exterior paintwork.
He said: "I was perturbed to watch the James Bond film's climax. It was unrealistic and may perpetuate the fear that hydrogen should be avoided.
"Although potentially explosive in a confined space, the fuel can be handled quite safely. If released into the open air, hydrogen would only burn with a blue flame - a fact obviously of no interest to a film-maker!
"Like the famous photographs of the Hindenburg disaster, the scene's images could well stick in the public's consciousness."
Professor Ross is leading a major research project into the viability of hydrogen as an economical, low carbon fuel, and a more environmentally friendly alternative to petrol and diesel-based engines.
"The world needs a practical alternative to fossil fuels and I believe that hydrogen may be the way forward," he said. "The public needs to be reassured about its safety and scaremongering in the media will only set us back." Ref:http://www.salford.ac.uk/news/details/812
