The production of hydrogen, considered a promising solution for clean energy, could see a major breakthrough thanks to a discovery by MIT researchers.
By using common materials such as used aluminum cans, seawater, and a touch of caffeine, they have developed an innovative method for generating hydrogen sustainably.
Aluminum, found in soda cans, has the ability to react with water to release hydrogen. However, a thin oxide layer forms on its surface upon contact with air, blocking the reaction with water.
To bypass this issue, MIT engineers treated the aluminum with an alloy of gallium and indium, two rare metals, allowing the removal of this protective layer. By subsequently submerging this pretreated aluminum into filtered seawater, they observed hydrogen production. The ions present in seawater facilitate the recovery of the alloy, creating a reusable and sustainable cycle.
The addition of caffeine, or more precisely imidazole, an active component of it, significantly accelerated the reaction. While without this addition, it took about two hours to generate hydrogen, the researchers managed to produce the same amount in just five minutes. This acceleration paves the way for practical applications, especially for marine and underwater vehicles.
MIT engineers are currently developing a small reactor that can operate onboard ships or underwater vehicles. This reactor, powered by recycled aluminum pellets and a gallium-indium-caffeine mixture, could produce hydrogen on demand. According to researchers' calculations, such a device containing approximately 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of these pellets could power a small underwater glider for nearly 30 days.
Aly Kombargi, a Ph.D. candidate at MIT, explained that this technology is of great interest for maritime applications because it eliminates the need to transport seawater, which is already available on site. The next steps for this research will involve adapting this system for other modes of transport, such as trucks, trains, and even airplanes.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND