UC Santa Cruz recently announced the recipients of the Innovation Catalyst Grant program, aimed at fostering transformative research with significant societal benefits. Managed by the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, the program provides targeted funding, mentorship, and training to help researchers validate their technologies for commercialization. This year's awardees focus on addressing challenges in environmental sustainability, biomedical innovation, and renewable energy, showcasing UC Santa Cruz's commitment to research excellence. Projects include developing biosensors for contaminant detection and sweet analysis, creating artificial luciferases for drug discovery, and advancing preclinical drug testing methods. One notable project, led by chemistry professor Scott Oliver, introduces a sustainable method for hydrogen production using a gallium-aluminum composite. This innovative approach generates hydrogen at ambient conditions from water sources, including wastewater and ocean water, while recycling aluminum waste. The project has diverse applications, from fueling hydrogen cell buses to supporting under-resourced communities, aligning with California's climate goals. The program's emphasis on bridging research with real-world impact is supported by the UC President's Entrepreneurship Network Council's systemwide pilot proof-of-concept fund. By empowering researchers to de-risk and validate early-stage innovations, UC Santa Cruz ensures that groundbreaking ideas lead to tangible societal benefits. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the university reaffirms its role as an innovation hub driving positive change in California and beyond.