Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston have unveiled a groundbreaking method to produce hydrogen gas using easily accessible materials like aluminium, seawater, and coffee grounds. The innovative process involves a chemical reaction between aluminium and water to generate hydrogen, but the challenge lies in preventing the formation of aluminium oxide that hinders the reaction. By pre-treating aluminium pellets with gallium and indium alloys, the team found a way to overcome this hurdle and enable a sustainable cycle of hydrogen production. The addition of coffee grounds as a stimulant proved to be a game-changer, reducing the hydrogen production time from two hours to just five minutes. This discovery opens up possibilities for more efficient hydrogen generation, making it a viable option for use in vehicles. The team envisions a future where a small hydrogen reactor powered by aluminium and seawater could provide on-demand hydrogen for marine and underwater vehicles, potentially revolutionizing clean energy solutions. Lead author Aly Kombargi described the successful experiments conducted using filtered seawater and the efficiency achieved by adding coffee grounds as a stimulant. The team's next steps involve exploring applications for trucks, trains, and airplanes, aiming to optimize the technology for various transportation sectors. By extracting water from ambient humidity to produce hydrogen, the researchers hope to further enhance the sustainability and practicality of their innovative hydrogen production method.