A group of researchers at Penn State University secured a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E to delve into the potential of geologic hydrogen extraction. Led by Shimin Liu and Derek Elsworth, the team aims to pioneer the production of geologic hydrogen by leveraging the natural serpentinization process in peridotite rocks. This approach, if successful, could lead to a significant impact on clean energy production and the decarbonization of industries. Geologic hydrogen, which is pure hydrogen generated in the Earth's subsurface through water-rock interactions, holds promise as a sustainable energy source. The team plans to employ an innovative gas dynamic fracturing technology to stimulate serpentinization in peridotite rocks, ultimately aiming to recover hydrogen in an environmentally safe manner. The researchers also aim to address key challenges such as induced seismicity and ensuring optimal hydrogen production levels while prioritizing environmental safety. By conducting tests, modeling micro-seismicity, and analyzing core samples, the team hopes to develop a robust framework for managing subsurface reservoirs. The project's multi-stage approach involves identifying suitable reservoir sites rich in olivine peridotite across the U.S., followed by pilot-scale experiments to gather foundational data for large-scale operations. Additionally, a techno-economic analysis will be conducted to assess the feasibility and projected costs of a full-scale geologic hydrogen production operation.