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Updated: May 23, 2026

A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
Effective hydrogen storage: a strategic chemistry challenge
1ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK. bill.david@stfc.ac.uk
Safe and economical hydrogen storage is crucial for a low-carbon economy. While challenges remain in solid-state materials, breakthroughs suggest achievable on-board and off-board hydrogen storage systems.
Area of Science:
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Hydrogen storage is a key challenge for a low-carbon economy, particularly for transportation.
- Current options include high-pressure gas and metal hydrides, with ongoing research into solid-state materials.
- Battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell electric technologies are expected to coexist in future vehicles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the current status and future potential of hydrogen storage materials.
- To discuss the scientific and technological challenges in safe, effective, and economical hydrogen storage.
- To highlight recent breakthroughs and their implications for hydrogen storage systems.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research in solid-state hydrogen storage.
- Analysis of challenges in reversibility and operating temperatures for storage materials.
- Examination of advancements in multicomponent hydride systems and regeneration techniques.
Main Results:
- Solid-state hydrogen storage faces challenges with reversibility and cryogenic temperatures for physisorption.
- High-pressure gas storage with metal hydrides remains an intermediate-term solution.
- Multicomponent hydride systems show promise for improved reversibility.
Conclusions:
- Achieving improved on-board reversible hydrogen storage is feasible.
- Advancements in off-board and solvent-assisted regeneration offer solutions for regenerated hydrogen storage systems.
- Continued research in materials chemistry is vital for realizing efficient hydrogen storage.
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