Out of thin air: new solar-powered invention creates hydrogen fuel from the atmosphere

Researchers have created a solar-powered device that produces hydrogen fuel directly from moisture in the air.

According to its inventors, the prototype produces hydrogen with greater than 99% purity and can work in air that is as dry as 4% relative humidity. The device would allow hydrogen to be produced without carbon emissions even in regions where water on land is scarce, they say.

Hydrogen is a zero-carbon fuel that yields only water as a byproduct when combusted. However, pure hydrogen is not abundant in nature and producing it requires energy input. Large-scale production commonly involves fossil fuels that generate carbon emissions.

The prototypes are still only small in size, and the team has plans to create 1 sq metre and 10 sq metres units in the coming year.

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.