The potential of hydrogen to replace fossil fuels, particularly for use in vehicles, has long been recognized by both academia and industry. Although the technology for producing and utilizing hydrogen gas has been advanced to a very high level – hydrogen power in cars can now out-perform equivalent internal combustion engines, both in terms of performance and efficiency – the real challenge that remains lies in its storage and transportation. The methods suggested by current technologies, such as compression or liquefaction, have inherent disadvantages in cost, safety, or practicality, and so other solutions are necessary.

To address this problem, Dr. Michael Hirscher, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research in Stuttgart, has edited a new reference guide to hydrogen storage, with contributions from some of the top researchers in the field. In it, they attempt to identify optimal storage mechanisms and materials for the gas, and suggest that light-weight solids could be the hydrogen storage media of the future, exploring nanoparticles, metal hydrides, clathrates, and other potential storage systems.