Daniel G. Nocera developed a simple method to split water molecules and produce oxygen gas, a discovery that paves the way for large-scale use of solar power (Credit:MIT/Donna Coveney)

The goal is for the new catalyst material to work in a closed-loop system that can make hydrogen with power gathered from solar energy or other electrical sources. The closed-loop concept would have hydrogen and water running though a fuel cell and the water would be recaptured and reused.  

With Daniel Nocera's and Matthew Kanan's new catalyst, homeowners could use their solar panels during the day to power their home, while also using the energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage. At night, the stored hydrogen and oxygen could be recombined using a fuel cel l to generate power while thesolar panels are inactive (Credit: MIT)

John Turner from the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) says "The initial results look promising but it doesn't answer all the things you need in a catalyst." – More research is still needed to bring hydrogen to the consumer market as a cost effective way of producing power. 

TFOT recently covered the First Hydrogen Powered Manned Flight demonstrated using a modified glider built by Boeing as well as Windhunter concept which makes Hydrogen from Wind. 

More about the new catalyst can be found on MIT’s website (and video).