BIO

Hello!
My name is Surabhi Nair, a second-year Cell and Molecular Neuroscience student on the pre-med track. I am originally from Canada but currently reside in Tampa, Florida. My research interests include the study of neurodegenerative diseases, epigenetics, and environmental sustainability. I aim to dedicate my future to preserving the health of individuals and our planet.

Exploring the use of Hydrogen and Superconductivity in the Healthcare Industry

Abstract

As people across the world are becoming more aware of the consequences of their carbon footprint, we are seeing a major shift to more sustainable energy sources to support our needs. Hydrogen as an energy carrier is gaining traction. The use of liquid hydrogen (boiling point 20 K) has gained traction. The healthcare sector is considering hydrogen to support its technology. Through the process of combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, hydrogen fuel leaves water and heat as by-products, rather than carbon dioxide. Engineers have been studying the use of liquid hydrogen to cool superconducting devices of MRI and other medical machines; hydrogen is a cost-effective and abundant cooling agent, rather than the expensive and scarce liquid helium that is currently used. In the pharmaceutical side of healthcare, NMR spectroscopy is also beginning to explore new superconductors and higher temperature operation supported by liquid hydrogen to expand the accessibility and lower cost technologies for drug discovery and studying protein structures. While hydrogen is not a panacea when it comes to sustainable fuel, it is certainly a step in the right direction to kick off this conversation on fueling our world to continue its productivity in the right way.

Keywords: Sustainability, Hydrogen Fuel, Healthcare, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging