Hydrogen is seen as a promising clean energy source due to its lack of carbon dioxide emissions. MIT engineers have developed a novel process to produce hydrogen using seawater, recycled aluminum, and caffeine, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint associated with hydrogen production. Through a life cycle assessment, the team found that their process could generate only 1.45 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilogram of hydrogen, which is significantly lower than fossil-fuel-based methods. This low-carbon footprint is comparable to green hydrogen technologies powered by solar and wind energy. The process involves treating aluminum with a rare-metal alloy to produce pure hydrogen when mixed with seawater. By using recycled aluminum and seawater, the team calculated that the cost of producing hydrogen would be around $9 per kilogram, making it competitive with other sustainable energy sources. The researchers envision scaling up this process for commercial use, providing a scalable and sustainable pathway for low-emission hydrogen deployment in transportation and remote energy systems. This innovative approach highlights the potential of using recycled materials in energy production and offers a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions in hydrogen production.