The University of Kansas and Avium, a startup founded by KU's School of Engineering researchers, have received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance research in green hydrogen energy. This initiative is part of a larger $750 million funding program by the DoE to support 52 projects across 24 states aiming to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen and strengthen American leadership in the hydrogen industry. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is seen as crucial in achieving net-zero emissions goals. Traditional hydrogen production emits greenhouse gases, making the shift to green hydrogen essential. The project at KU will focus on developing new catalysts and technologies to enhance the efficiency of green hydrogen production across various sectors such as fertilizers, cement production, and metal processing. The research will also explore the use of green hydrogen in emerging sectors like sustainable aviation fuels and renewable energy storage. Students and researchers at KU will receive training as part of this initiative. Additionally, technical training and career-building opportunities will be provided to students at the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center in Lawrence and Urban Tec in Kansas City. Kevin Leonard, the chief science officer of Avium, emphasized the importance of green hydrogen in the transition to a clean-energy future. The project aligns with the DoE's goal to produce green hydrogen for just a dollar per kilogram by 2031, aiming to make green hydrogen a central component of the clean energy transition and improve sustainability in industries like chemical production.