MIT Develops Scalable and Sustainable Method for Green Hydrogen Production Using Soda Cans and Seawater
Key Ideas
  • MIT engineers have developed a process to produce green hydrogen using seawater, recycled soda cans, and caffeine, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
  • The life cycle assessment for the industrial-scale process showed a low carbon footprint of 1.45 kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of hydrogen produced, comparable to other green hydrogen technologies.
  • The cost of the fuel produced through this method is estimated to be around $9 per kilogram, similar to prices from wind and solar energy-based hydrogen production.
  • The researchers envision a commercial-scale production chain involving scrap aluminum, treatment with gallium-indium, and a sustainable cycle that minimizes environmental impact.
A study conducted by MIT engineers has introduced a scalable and sustainable method for producing green hydrogen, a climate-friendly fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide when used. By combining seawater, recycled soda cans, and a rare-metal alloy, the team successfully demonstrated a low-carbon process for hydrogen production. This process involves aluminum reacting with water to produce hydrogen gas efficiently. The researchers conducted a life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of the industrial-scale process, highlighting the minimal carbon footprint of 1.45 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilogram of hydrogen. This low-carbon footprint is comparable to other proposed green hydrogen technologies powered by renewable sources like solar and wind energy. The estimated cost of producing hydrogen through this method is around $9 per kilogram, making it competitive with prices from alternative green technologies. The team envisions a production chain that begins with scrap aluminum sourced from recycling centers, emphasizing the significance of utilizing recycled materials to reduce emissions. This innovative approach offers a promising pathway for deploying low-emission hydrogen in transportation and remote energy systems, contributing to sustainable energy practices.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.