Dr. Sung Mook Choi and his team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) have developed a breakthrough in hydrogen production by creating a durable non-precious metal-based catalyst for direct electrolysis using waste alkaline water and anion exchange membranes (AEM). This innovation allows for clean hydrogen production by utilizing alkaline wastewater from industrial processes, particularly addressing the challenges posed by the high volume and treatment cost of waste alkaline water. The team's catalyst was tested in a commercial-scale electrolysis system, demonstrating high efficiency with minimal degradation after more than 2,000 hours of continuous operation. Through collaborations with other research groups, the team also developed a resilient anion exchange membrane and synthesized a heterostructured non-precious metal catalyst based on nickel and cerium oxide. The technology enables the use of large volumes of waste alkaline water without purification, significantly reducing the cost of hydrogen production compared to traditional methods. This advancement is expected to accelerate the self-sufficiency of clean hydrogen production and open new markets. Dr. Choi highlighted the potential of this technology to revolutionize clean hydrogen production and emphasized the importance of non-freshwater-based electrolysis in the future.