A research team led by Graeme Blake, an Assistant Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, has introduced an innovative approach to cooling for the liquefaction of hydrogen. This new method, described in a study published in Nature Communications, utilizes magnetocaloric cooling to efficiently cool hydrogen to the necessary temperature of 20 K without the need for rare-earth metals. Traditional cooling methods for hydrogen liquefaction require a substantial amount of energy and rely on refrigerant gases that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By applying magnetocaloric materials that heat up under a magnetic field and then transfer the generated heat to a heat sink, the team was able to achieve the targeted temperature for hydrogen liquefaction. The cooling effect occurs when the magnetic field is removed, allowing the material and its surroundings to cool down. The breakthrough in this research lies in the development of a material that does not contain rare-earth metals, offering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. Professor Blake envisions that this material or its future iterations could enhance the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of hydrogen liquefaction technology. The study, titled 'Giant magnetocaloric effect in a rare-earth-free layered coordination polymer at liquid hydrogen temperatures,' showcases the potential of this innovative cooling approach in advancing the hydrogen industry towards a more sustainable future.