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Cobalt film a clean-fuel find

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a cobalt-based thin film that can produce both hydrogen and oxygen from water to feed fuel cells. The film is highly porous, inexpensive, and scalable, making it a potential alternative to expensive metals like platinum in water-electrolysis devices.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 15, 2015

Researchers develop new approach that combines biomass conversion, solar energy conversion

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a novel approach to combine biomass conversion and solar energy conversion, enabling more efficient hydrogen production and creating a valuable byproduct. This breakthrough could significantly increase the efficiency and utility of solar-fuel-producing photoelectrochemical cells.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 10, 2015

Renewable energy obtained from wastewater

Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a technology to recover energy from wastewater using MEC, producing hydrogen with high efficiency and low voltage. The system demonstrated excellent results in hydrogen production and energy recovery, opening up potential for industrial-scale development.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalWater Research·DateFeb 24, 2015

Air quality and unconventional oil and gas sites

A community-based study found air pollutants released by unconventional oil and gas production exceed recommended levels in the US, with hazardous chemicals like benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and formaldehyde detected. The study highlights the need for improved air-quality monitoring programs near these sites.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalEnvironmental Health·DateOct 30, 2014

Promising news for solar fuels from Berkeley Lab researchers at JCAP

Researchers at JCAP have developed a new hybrid material that stores nearly 90% of the electrons generated by solar energy in hydrogen molecules. This breakthrough could address one of the major challenges in using artificial photosynthesis to produce renewable solar fuels. The material, which combines gallium phosphide and cobaloxime ...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateMar 7, 2014

Probing hydrogen catalyst assembly

The study demonstrates how cyanide and carbon monoxide are safely bound to an iron atom to construct an enzyme that can generate hydrogen gas. This discovery sheds light on the unusual chemistry involved in binding small molecules to metal atoms, a crucial step towards producing hydrogen using abundant metals.

Hydrogen fuel from sunlight

Researchers at the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis have developed a method to interface molecular hydrogen-producing catalysts with a semiconductor that absorbs visible light. This breakthrough enables the production of hydrogen fuel from sunlight without external electrical potential.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 29, 2013

Water-rock reaction may provide enough hydrogen 'food' to sustain life in ocean's crust or on Mars

Scientists discover chemical reaction between iron-containing minerals and water can produce enough hydrogen to sustain microbial communities, hinting at possibility of hydrogen-dependent life on Mars. The study also suggests that such reactions could take place in the ocean's crust at lower temperatures than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 30, 2013

New method for producing clean hydrogen

Duke University engineers have created a novel method for producing clean hydrogen, reducing carbon monoxide levels to nearly zero. This approach uses a new catalytic process with nanoparticle combinations of gold and iron oxide, making it a more practical option.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Catalysis·DateMay 21, 2013

Surprising findings on hydrogen production in green algae

Researchers at Uppsala University found that green algae can produce hydrogen gas directly from sunlight, with up to 80% of the energy absorbed by Photosystem II going into production. This discovery changes the view on hydrogen production in green algae and offers hope for efficient renewable energy source.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2013

Breakthrough in hydrogen fuel production could revolutionize alternative energy market

Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a way to extract large quantities of hydrogen from any plant, potentially bringing a low-cost, environmentally friendly fuel source to the world. The new process uses xylose, the most abundant simple plant sugar, to produce high-purity hydrogen with an energy efficiency of over 100 percent.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 4, 2013

What green algae are up to in the dark

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered a metabolic pathway for hydrogen production in green algae under stress conditions, even in the dark. This discovery provides new insights into the production of hydrogen gas and its potential application in sustainable energy solutions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 14, 2013

New metal hydride clusters provide insights into hydrogen storage

Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute synthesized new heterometallic hydride clusters using rare-earth and d-transition metals, enabling analysis via X-ray diffraction. These clusters exhibit unique reactivity properties pointing to new hydrogen storage techniques, promising environmentally-friendly solutions for clean energy.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 22, 2011