Scientists in China have developed a new solar-powered device that can pull water straight out of the air and turn it into green hydrogen fuel.
The system works without needing any external water or electricity, making it a promising solution for producing clean energy in even the driest regions of the world.
The research, led by Professor Yin Huajie from the Hefei Institute of Physical Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was recently published in Advanced Materials.
Hydrogen is widely seen as a key clean fuel of the future because it produces only water when used.
One of the most efficient ways to generate hydrogen is through Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE), which splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. But there’s a problem: PEMWE requires large amounts of pure water.
That makes it difficult to use in many parts of the world where fresh water is scarce, such as deserts or arid regions.
To solve this, Professor Yin’s team combined PEMWE technology with atmospheric water harvesting—a method that pulls moisture directly from the air.
The system they developed uses a specially designed porous carbon material to capture water vapor.
Sunlight then heats the material, releasing the moisture, which is immediately fed into a custom-built electrolyzer that produces hydrogen.
The porous carbon is carefully engineered through a synthesis and heating process, followed by surface treatments that make it even better at attracting water molecules.
The result is a material that can efficiently grab and release water, even in dry conditions.
Tests showed that the system works remarkably well. Even when humidity levels were as low as 20%, it still managed to collect and evaporate enough water to keep producing hydrogen.
At 40% humidity—similar to a typical dry climate—it generated nearly 300 milliliters of hydrogen per hour. It also proved to be reliable over repeated cycles, showing long-term stability.
Field trials confirmed the device’s potential for real-world use. It was able to continuously generate hydrogen using nothing but sunlight and air moisture, producing zero carbon emissions and requiring no external energy or water supply.
The researchers believe this breakthrough could pave the way for a new type of sustainable hydrogen production system that is especially valuable in regions where fresh water is scarce.
By combining atmospheric water harvesting with clean energy production, the technology could help bring truly green hydrogen into wider use around the globe.
