A team of engineers at MIT has developed a groundbreaking process to produce hydrogen using recycled aluminium and seawater, aiming to drastically reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional hydrogen production. The team found that their innovative method could generate green hydrogen at a cost of $9 per kilogram, making it competitive with other sustainable energy technologies like wind and solar. The new process involves treating recycled aluminium pellets with a rare-metal alloy to produce pure hydrogen when mixed with seawater, offering a scalable solution for low-emission hydrogen deployment in transportation and remote energy systems. Through a comprehensive 'cradle-to-grave' life cycle assessment, the researchers calculated that their process would only generate 1.45 kilograms of carbon dioxide for every kilogram of hydrogen produced, a significant improvement over fossil-fuel-based methods. By focusing on recycled aluminium and seawater, the team identified a scenario with the lowest carbon footprint, highlighting the environmental and cost-saving benefits of their approach. This research paves the way for a more sustainable future in hydrogen production and showcases the potential of clean energy sources like aluminium in reducing emissions and advancing green technologies.