University of Nottingham researchers have developed a groundbreaking technology that converts metal waste into a catalyst for producing hydrogen from water. Professor Andrei Khlobystov highlights the dual benefit of this innovation, as it enables the production of green hydrogen with minimal precious metal use while recycling metal waste from the aerospace industry. By leveraging nanotextured grooves and ridges present in the metal swarf, the team achieved a remarkable feat of reducing the platinum requirement by 90% compared to conventional catalysts. The process involves magnetron sputtering to create a platinum 'rain' on the surface of the swarf, forming efficient nanoparticles for water-splitting electrolysis. The study emphasizes the crucial role of surface area in enhancing hydrogen production rates, with different metal supports like titanium and stainless steel influencing the electrocatalytic performance. Moving forward, the researchers plan to explore the use of other metal waste sources and optimize the electrocatalyst's efficiency by varying groove characteristics. Collaborating with AqSorption, a local company specializing in electrolyser design, the team aims to scale up this eco-friendly technology for practical hydrogen production.