MIT engineers have developed an innovative solution for the production and distribution of zero-emission fuel by utilizing pure aluminum from recycled soda cans and salt water to generate hydrogen gas. This breakthrough process, outlined in a paper by Aly Kombargi, Enoch Ellis, Peter Godart, and Douglas P. Hart, removes the need for carbon-emitting fuels to power engines and fuel cells, providing a greener alternative for the future. The researchers discovered that treating aluminum with gallium-indium eutectic and mixing it with salt water triggers a reaction that releases hydrogen gas along with thermal energy, making aluminum a promising fuel source due to its abundant nature and energy content. Additionally, the introduction of coffee to the reaction was found to accelerate hydrogen production significantly, with caffeine playing a dual role as a catalyst and a bonding agent. Aly Kombargi and the team are now working on designing a hydrogen reactor for marine applications, where the reactor will utilize recycled aluminum pellets, gallium-indium, and caffeine to power watercraft efficiently. This reactor can be flooded with seawater as needed to initiate the hydrogen-generating reaction, with the produced hydrogen being converted into either thrust or electricity for the vessel's operation. Despite hydrogen's potential as a green fuel, safety concerns regarding its flammability and transportation hazards have been raised in the past. The researchers' new process helps mitigate these concerns by producing hydrogen on demand, eliminating the need for storing or transporting large quantities of the gas. This development paves the way for a more sustainable and safer use of hydrogen in various applications.