Laves phase-related BCC metal hydride alloys historically have limited electrochemical capabilities. Provided are processes of activating these alloys to produce hydrogen storage materials with greater than 200 mAh/g capacities and commonly much greater than 300 mAh/g capacities. The processes include cooling the alloy during hydrogenation to reduced temperatures or by subjecting the materials to significantly increased hydrogen pressures. Temperatures in many embodiments do not exceed 300° C. By decreasing the temperature or increasing the hydrogen pressure the phase structure of the material is optimized to increase a synergistic effect between multiple phases in the resulting alloy thereby greatly improving the electrochemical capacities.

A method and a system is provided for obtaining solid-state hydrogen storage and release in materials with at least theoretical loaded hydrogen densities of 11 wt % or greater that can deliver hydrogen and be recharged at moderate temperatures enabling incorporation into hydrogen storage systems suitable for transportation applications. These materials comprise ternary boride materials comprising certain light transition metals and alkaline or alkaline earth metals, and ideally have no or very little phase separation. A process of making these materials is also provided.

A method and a system is provided for obtaining solid-state hydrogen storage and release in materials with at least theoretical loaded hydrogen densities of 11 wt % or greater that can deliver hydrogen and be recharged at moderate temperatures enabling incorporation into hydrogen storage systems suitable for transportation applications. These materials comprise ternary boride materials comprising certain light transition metals and alkaline or alkaline earth metals, and ideally have no or very little phase separation. A process of making these materials is also provided.

A method of making a salt of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; an amine; or a mixture thereof. The method comprising the steps of; combining a Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2 precursor with an alcohol, thiol or amine of the general formula R—H to create a reaction liquor containing Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2; and washing the reaction liquor in an organic solvent.

A method of making a salt of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; an amine; or a mixture thereof. The method comprising the steps of; combining a Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2 precursor with an alcohol, thiol or amine of the general formula R—H to create a reaction liquor containing Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2; and washing the reaction liquor in an organic solvent.

A salt of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a halogen-free compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; or an amine; or a mixture thereof.

A composite storage tank system for gaseous hydrogen comprises a composite storage tank having composite wall enclosing a gas storage volume, the composite wall including a metal hydride element, or a metal element capable of forming a metal hydride in the presence of hydrogen, the system further comprising measuring apparatus arranged to measure an electrical characteristic of the metal hydride element or the metal element. The history of leakage of gaseous hydrogen from the tank, the current rate of leakage and the physical condition of the composite wall in the vicinity of the metal or metal hydride element may be inferred from a measurement of the electrical characteristic, without taking the tank out of service as is required in the case of known leaks tests such as a vacuum test, helium leak test or hydrogen sniffing test.

A composite storage tank system for gaseous hydrogen comprises a composite storage tank having composite wall enclosing a gas storage volume, the composite wall including a metal hydride element, or a metal element capable of forming a metal hydride in the presence of hydrogen, the system further comprising measuring apparatus arranged to measure an electrical characteristic of the metal hydride element or the metal element. The history of leakage of gaseous hydrogen from the tank, the current rate of leakage and the physical condition of the composite wall in the vicinity of the metal or metal hydride element may be inferred from a measurement of the electrical characteristic, without taking the tank out of service as is required in the case of known leaks tests such as a vacuum test, helium leak test or hydrogen sniffing test.

An electrolyte and a method of making an electrolyte of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; an amine; or a mixture thereof. The method includes the steps of: combining a Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2 precursor with an alcohol, thiol or amine of the general formula R—H to create a reaction liquor containing Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2; and washing the reaction liquor in an organic solvent.

An electrolyte and a method of making an electrolyte of the formula: Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2, where R represents a compound selected from a deprotonated alcohol or thiol; an amine; or a mixture thereof. The method includes the steps of: combining a Mg(AlH.sub.4).sub.2 precursor with an alcohol, thiol or amine of the general formula R—H to create a reaction liquor containing Mg[Al(R).sub.4].sub.2; and washing the reaction liquor in an organic solvent.