37 Analytical Instrumentation compromises system effi ciency and relies on fossil fuels11 .


To address this challenge, a team of researchers published a study presenting a method to alleviate the diffi culty of hydrogen extraction. Leveraging magnesium hydride (MgH2) as the storage medium, the team incorporated copper (Cu) nanoparticles supported on an MXene base. The incorporation of Cu nanoparticles weakened the Mg-H bonds within the compound, reducing the temperature requirements for both hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of MgH29


. Additionally, the low thermal


conductivity of MgH2 further decreased the temperature demand, expediting both hydrogen absorption and hydrogen desorption processes. By harnessing solar energy as the sole energy source, the team achieved a stable and reversible hydrogen desorption and adsorption process for MgH2, promising increased storage capacity and more effi cient hydrogen extraction9


.


Figure 3: The isothermic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation curves of MgH2 at 240℃ under the catalysis of: Cu@MXene and MXene, respectively (a,c), or Cu@MXene at varying temperatures (b,d)9


.


In response to these limitations, scientists introduced the proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser in the 1960s5


.


This technology, utilising a PEM separator and pure water feed, signifi cantly increases production rates and adapts more rapidly to various power sources. The technology is well established, since many commercial fuel cells use similar technologies. However, PEM electrolysers have a downside: they operate in a highly corrosive environment and require rare and expensive noble metal catalysts, driving up the initial costs of green hydrogen production.


To address this challenge, Alchemr, an American-based company, developed an anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyser, as shown in Figure 2. Combining features from both alkaline and PEM designs, this machine features a thin AEM layer that separates the electrodes while facilitating the exchange of hydroxide ions5


. This innovation transforms the environment from


acidic to alkaline⁵, allowing the use of more affordable and readily available materials without sacrifi cing effi ciency. Alchemr’s AEM electrolyzers have the potential to enable large-scale hydrogen production, which, if adopted in the market, could signifi cantly lower the overall cost of green hydrogen production.


Portable Paper-Based


Hydrogen Fuel Cells: In a noteworthy development on a smaller scale, a group of researchers recently conducted a study showcasing the viability of microscale fuel cells powered by hydrogen. These microscale fuel cells are constructed using cost-effective materials compared to their traditional counterparts8


Figure 4: A model recreation of the Polaris offshore facility15 Solar-driven Reversible


Hydrogen Storage: In 2022, a groundbreaking study introduced an innovative approach to hydrogen storage by combining photothermal conversion and catalysis to facilitate the storage and release of hydrogen within metal hydrides9


hydrogen energy adoption lies in the effective and safe storage of high-density hydrogen sources, given that storage options for lower-energy hydrogen are less practical and more costly than their high-density counterparts10


.


The results of their experiments validated their hypothesis, as shown in Figure 3. Adding Cu and MXene to the storage method substantially reduced the time needed for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, resulting in a storage capacity of approximately 5.9 weight percent for MgH2, all powered by sunlight. Spectral analysis revealed that the Cu@MXene compound exhibited stronger absorption characteristics than the standard MXene base alone, signifying greater storage potential for MgH2. Moreover, the Cu@MXene compound demonstrated superior thermal characteristics compared to MXene, allowing it to reach ultrahigh temperatures and return to stability more rapidly than the MXene sheet. These fi ndings are highly signifi cant, as they demonstrate an effective means of catalysing hydrogen transport and storage, increasing storage capacity while accelerating the dehydrogenation process, all reliant solely on solar energy. If widely adopted, this Cu nanoparticle-supported MXene approach could revolutionise hydrogen transport and storage industries by signifi cantly reducing costs and making large quantities of hydrogen more accessible.


Blue Hydrogen Carbon Storage Systems:


In the realm of blue hydrogen, a Norwegian startup is poised to revolutionise carbon capture technology. Presently, the predominant source of hydrogen production is grey hydrogen, derived from natural gases or methane through steam reformation12


. Unfortunately, this process generates carbon


dioxide and is unsustainable in the long run. Researchers, however, have chosen a different path, opting to mitigate the emissions rather than entirely phase out steam reformation. The result is blue hydrogen, which shares the same production method but incorporates carbon capture and storage techniques to reduce its carbon footprint12


minor, carbon capture systems play a pivotal role in mitigating global carbon emissions, and one company has been at the forefront of this initiative since 2022.


. One of the signifi cant hurdles in


Established in 2019, Horisont Energi dedicates itself to producing and storing blue hydrogen and clean ammonia13


. Recently, there has been


growing interest in storing hydrogen in solid-state metal hydrides. However, the high kinetic barrier of these hydrides necessitates intense external heating before hydrogen extraction, which


. Hydrogen’s


remarkable fuel conversion effi ciency and absence of emissions make it an ideal choice for micro applications, ensuring prolonged power supply for such devices. Furthermore, the inherent advantages of microtechnologies, including simplifi ed refueling processes and reduced reliance on noble metal catalysts, mitigate the typical challenges associated with hydrogen fuel cells8


. However, despite the advantages of microscale hydrogen fuel cells, there has been limited exploration into the use of low- cost fabrication materials for their construction.


A 2022 study presented microscale hydrogen fuel cells developed through readily available materials. Leveraging cellulose paper as a base, along with graphite pencil electrodes and food-grade aluminum foil, the research team successfully crafted a durable, affordable, and compact fuel cell capable of powering portable electronic devices8


. This device is astonishingly simple and


cost-effective, with all materials costing less than $1. Moreover, the research team incorporated various substrates and catalysts to enhance the fuel cell’s effi ciency. While traditional fuel cells remain effective, this experiment underscores the potential for microscale hydrogen fuel cells to become cost-effective and accessible, with the ability to rival the effi ciency of their larger counterparts.


Figure 5: A diagram of the chemistry behind hydrogen generation in the OB Hydracel20 . WWW.PETRO-ONLINE.COM .” The Polaris project is an integrated offshore . Notably, in 2021,


the company forged a strategic partnership with industry giant Baker Hughes, outlining their collaboration on the “Polaris Carbon Storage Project14


carbon storage facility poised to boast a total carbon storage capacity of 100 million tons14


, as shown in Figure 5. It aspires to become a global leader in carbon storage, aiming for the lowest


. While this distinction may appear


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