Is the H2 economy realizable in the foreseeable future? Part III: H2 usage technologies, applications, and challenges and opportunities.

Energy enthusiasts in developed countries explore sustainable and efficient pathways for accomplishing zero carbon footprint through the H2 economy. The major objective of the H2 economy review series is to bring out the status, major issues, and opportunities associated with the key components such as H2 production, storage, transportation, distribution, and applications in various energy sectors. Specifically, Part I discussed H2 production methods including the futuristic ones such as photoelectrochemical for small, medium, and large-scale applications, while Part II dealt with the challenges and developments in H2 storage, transportation, and distribution with national and international initiatives. Part III of the H2 economy review discusses the developments and challenges in the areas of H2 application in chemical/metallurgical industries, combustion, and fuel cells. Currently, the majority of H2 is being utilized by a few chemical industries with >60% in the oil refineries sector, by producing grey H2 by steam methane reforming on a large scale. In addition, the review also presents the challenges in various technologies for establishing greener and sustainable H2 society.

An efficient in vitro plant regeneration of Dipteracanthus prostratus (Poir.) Nees.- a medicinal herb

Objective: This is the first attempt for an efficient plant regeneration protocol through in vitro direct organogenesis for a valuable medicinal plant, Dipteracanthus prostratus using nodal segment. Methods: Multiple shoots were induced from nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with kinetin (KIN), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Results: Maximum shoot responses (80%) were obtained with kinetin at 1.0 mg-1. The rate of shoot multiplication was maintained in subsequent subculture on similar fresh culture medium. The highest shoot length (3.96cm) was obtained with seventy three percentages of shoots at 0.2 mg-1 NAA along with 1.0 mg-1 kinetin. Maximum length of root (3.63cm) was formed at 0.5 mg-1 IBA with significant responses (80%). Rooted plantlets were then transferred to perforated plastic cups and grown in the green house at 80% survival rate. Conclusions: The highest survival rate was noticed and this plant developmental protocol could be used for large- scale regeneration of D. prostratus.