H2MOF, a California-based start-up backed by two pioneering scientists, including a Nobel laureate, is working towards a significant breakthrough in hydrogen storage. The firm is leveraging advancements in molecularly engineered materials to address one of the biggest challenges in the hydrogen industry.

The co-founder, Professor Fraser Stoddart, a winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016, stated that efficient production of hydrogen is no longer an issue. The main challenge lies in storing the hydrogen effectively at low pressures and ambient temperature. Stoddart expressed confidence in the eventual success of their efforts.

Another co-founder, Professor Omar Yaghi, known for his work in the field of reticular chemistry, said the company is trying to compress hydrogen into a small volume without relying on high pressure or low temperatures. The aim is to safely store sufficient hydrogen at room temperature and utilize it for automobile fueling – what Yaghi referred to as the “holy grail” of the field.

Hydrogen, the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, is increasingly being heralded as a critical energy source for eco-friendly transitions. Hydrogen can be transformed into fuel with energy and if produced with renewable energy, it only leaves a water footprint.

H2MOF aims to bypass the high costs and energy demands associated with traditional hydrogen storage methods. Plans are underway to design tanks capable of storing hydrogen fuel in a solid state. H2MOF’s technology timeline for a significant improvement in hydrogen storage capacity and safety remains unsure, but Yaghi optimistically predicts a quantum leap forward in the next couple of years.

Simultaneously, Hydrogen power is gaining global momentum despite challenges such as rising interest rates and supply chain issues. Nations such as the United States, Germany, Japan, and Australia have updated their national hydrogen strategies to become less carbon-dependent.

An industry report by the Hydrogen Council revealed a 35% increase in the hydrogen project pipeline to $570 billion, signifying robust growth in global hydrogen investments till 2030. However, the report called for accelerating the announcement and maturation of further projects.

Source: The holy grail’: Startup backed by a Nobel laureate vying for a breakthrough on hydrogen storage }}.