Chinese researchers have developed a new catalyst that could make hydrogen production cheaper and more efficient by reducing the amount of platinum needed. Hydrogen is often promoted as a clean energy source because it produces no greenhouse gases when used, but most hydrogen today is still made from fossil fuels. A cleaner method involves splitting water using renewable electricity, but the process relies on catalysts to speed up the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). While platinum is the most effective catalyst for hydrogen production, it is both rare and expensive, limiting its practical use. (full story)