🔋 Scientists Have Found a Way to Synthesize Eco-Friendly Fuel from Empty Cans
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a technology to produce hydrogen using aluminum cans and seawater. The new method reduces carbon emissions during hydrogen production to just 1.45 kg of CO₂ per kilogram of fuel—an order of magnitude lower than traditional methods.
💧 How the Reaction Works
The key component of the reaction is an alloy of gallium and indium. Typically, aluminum does not react with water. Still, the rare-metal alloy breaks down its oxide layer, exposing the active metal. This triggers a vigorous reaction, releasing hydrogen. The salt present in seawater allows the expensive gallium-indium alloy to be recovered and reused.
The MIT team also conducted a full lifecycle analysis of the process—from aluminum production to hydrogen transportation to refueling stations. This new method's total carbon dioxide emissions are approximately 7.5 times lower than hydrogen extraction from natural gas and nearly 14 times lower than coal gasification.
Additionally, the reaction's byproduct, boehmite, can be used in electronics, further reducing overall costs. As a result, hydrogen produced from aluminum could cost around $2 per kilogram, comparable to traditional but far less environmentally friendly production methods.
ℹ️ Every year, over 180 billion aluminum cans are discarded worldwide, equivalent to roughly 3 million tonnes of aluminum. This is enough to produce hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clean fuel, capable of powering millions of kilometers for hydrogen vehicles.
