A groundbreaking technology developed by an interdisciplinary team at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) is set to transform hydrogen production using microwaves. The team successfully lowered the reduction temperature of Gd-doped ceria, a benchmark material for hydrogen production, below 600℃ by harnessing microwave energy. This breakthrough reduces the energy requirements by over 60% and replaces 75% of the thermal energy needed for the reaction. The innovative process is poised to revolutionize the commercial viability of hydrogen production technologies and facilitate the creation of new materials optimized for microwave-driven chemical processes. The study, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry, highlights the significance of microwave-assisted hydrogen production in economically decomposing water into hydrogen. The research emphasizes the role of microwave energy in defect formation and oxygen vacancy creation, essential for splitting water into hydrogen. By leveraging microwave technology, scientists achieved results that conventionally require high temperatures and hours to form defects in just minutes at temperatures below 600°C. The process was further validated with a thermodynamic model, offering valuable insights into the mechanism behind microwave-driven reactions. Professor Hyungyu Jin from POSTECH expressed that the research marks a major achievement in overcoming the limitations of existing hydrogen production processes through interdisciplinary collaboration. The study underscores the importance of the parameter fr, measuring the fraction of microwave energy contributing to the reduction reaction of metal oxides. Researchers advocate for the potential of microwave-assisted hydrogen production technology in improving the commercial feasibility of sustainable energy production.