Green hydrogen produced by water splitting using renewable energy is the most promising energy carrier of the low-carbon economy. But producing hydrogen through water electrolysis relies on a very clean water supply, which is a scarce commodity.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a technique and a prototype device to generate hydrogen from the air, decoupling production from freshwater resources and providing a new direction for a carbon-free future. The technology is called Direct Air Electrolyser (DAE) and works by draining water directly from the air before then going through the standard electrolysis process.
The new device, the DAE, is like other electrolyzers; it is made of a panel of metal plates – the electrodes – which supply a current (taken from renewables) for the water splitting process. But the secret is the porous medium between the plates…
New direct air electrolyzer generates green hydrogen from thin air
