04/09/2017 Newsround

Hi, I'm Ricky, and welcome to our new-look set here

on Newsround on Monday morning.

One of the ways scientists hope to cut pollution

is to stop people using oil, coal and petrol to power machines.

We already know about using wind and solar power but BBC

reporter Olivia Crellin went to investigate another option -

hydrogen.

I'm at the Priestley Centre in Guildford, where I've come

to meet some young engineers of the future, who are using

a gas called hydrogen to power their experiments.

Stuart, tell me, what are you trying to find out with your experiment?

We're trying to find out the temperature of the water

and how big the waves are, using hydrogen battery as power.

Fantastic.

And, Stefan, what is so brilliant about using hydrogen?

Well, it's really good for the environment.

Like, diesel and petrol produce all kinds of nasty gases

but hydrogen only produces water.

The only downside is that we don't have much hydrogen and our ways

of producing hydrogen aren't that great.

So, what exactly is hydrogen, and where can it be found?

Well, it's a gas.

It has no colour and no smell but it's the most common

gas in the universe.

For example, our sun is almost all made up of hydrogen.

However, there's hardly any hydrogen in the Earth's atmosphere

because it's so light it just floats up into space.

It can be found on Earth, though, in things like water

and some types of fuel.

Now, scientists have worked out ways of getting it out of those things.

It can be used just like oil, gas and petrol to make

energy to power things like our homes and cars.

Scientists at Nasa even use hydrogen fuel to send

their shuttles into space.

So, while our young engineers' experiments are still under

development, here's one way that hydrogen is being used now.

And, Andrew, how does it all work?

Well, this is actually an electric car.

It's just that instead of using batteries as the power supply,

it's using hydrogen.

It's clean.

The emissions coming out of the back are not those noxious fumes that

you get with an ordinary diesel or petrol car.

This is the future.

So, are there any downsides, then?

Why don't I just go and buy one tomorrow?

Right now, this is a very new technology and the only

downside I can think of is that there are only ten

refuelling stations in the UK.

Do you know your cheeky monkeys from your wise monkeys,

and when your smiley faces actually mean something else?

Emojis mean different things all around the world,

as Martin and I have been finding out.

Watch this...

Let's start with the basics - a smiley face.

The meaning is quite obvious, isn't it?

Whatever we're talking about is making me grin.

I'm happy, we're smiley.

Not always, you see, because in China some people think

the complete opposite.

They think this face is sarcastic, so using it could be quite mean.

"You're great."

All right, Ricky.

Tell me what you really think!

What about this one?

Is it a prayer?

Is it a high five?

Actually, it is originally from Japan and it means either

please or thank you.

Oh, thank you, Martin.

But, actually, it's a shirt.

I use this cheeky looking guy when I'm trying to be funny

or I'm a bit embarrassed.

But this cheeky monkey is actually meant

to be wise and it comes from a Japanese legend.

The three wise monkeys cover up different parts of their face

to show that they see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.

What about this one?

For most of us here in the UK, this one is tears of joy.

The face is laughing so much it's actually crying.

But in some cultures, this face mean something

But in some cultures, this face means something

completely different.

It's actually a face of someone who is quite upset.

Oh, no, Ricky!

Ricky, are you OK?

Why are you crying?

Martin, I'm totally fine.

I was just laughing.

Oh!

I thought you were crying.

I've got to go, because I've got to present the show.

OK, well, have a good show and before you go, take this.

OK.

Bye.

Why would he give me a poo?

Because sending a poo actually means good luck in Japan.

That's all from me.

Newsround's back right here in about half an hour.