If asked to name a person who changed the course of the 20th century, one think of Lise Meitner. This brilliant and ingenious physicist, often overlooked by many, was the first to recognize the potential of the atom as a source of energy. Meitner’s groundbreaking work on nuclear fission, though eclipsed by history (and the Nobel Prize committee), laid the foundations for using atomic physics to generate energy. She was the first female physicist to obtain a doctorate from the University of Vienna and the first scientist to consider and understand the impossible, both theoretically and experimentally: atoms can be split, releasing an enormous amount of energy in the process. Despite this, nuclear energy is recognized by world-class experts as an environmentally friendly energy source and has had a significant impact on how humans have generated energy over the past century. In light of nuclear accidents and environmental concerns, it is clear that new alternatives for green energy production are the most important cornerstone of our modern age.
Certainly, Meitner’s story is just one example among many in Europe. The continent has a rich history of achievements in various fields of human knowledge, mainly due to the availability of a critical mass of highly skilled and motivated labor. Now, as the world grapples with the need for sustainable energy sources, Europe’s strength in heavy industry, particularly in metallurgy and steel research and development, is driving scientists across the region to seek new energy solutions. At a time characterized by geopolitical uncertainties, securing energy independence is becoming a decisive factor for the future of European industry and the economy.
The pursue of energy remains a major geopolitical goal for many nations for the next few years, and here, science can make a stand to the people.
Although the focus at the beginning of the 20th century was on mastering and handling the atom, the challenge today is to further investigate the smallest known atom, hydrogen. Hydrogen energy—harnessed in its molecular form (H2)—offers an immediate alternative for Europe’s socio-economic development and future energy independence. Hydrogen has the potential to enable the next energy transition, much like nuclear fission did in the past: electricity generation without greenhouse gas emissions.
Like all emerging technologies, hydrogen energy comes with its own challenges. For Europe and its highly developed industrial sectors, two major challenges stand out:
(i) the generation/production of hydrogen gas; and
(ii) the development of new materials that can withstand hydrogen damage.
Recent research across European institutions has shown that hydrogen gas can be produced from the pyrolysis of methane using molten copper as a liquid catalyst (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.08.115), which opens up a new way to use metallurgical processes to produce or extract hydrogen gas for green energy. Investment in this area should be pursued at both scientific and technical levels.
The second challenge remains a cornerstone of our time. Hydrogen is a very small atom and can quickly diffuse into the microstructure of the alloys used in gas pipelines. This diffusion leads to an accumulation of hydrogen inside the material and thus to embrittlement (https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202400776). In other words, very small hydrogen atoms have the ability to completely destroy materials and their intially designed properties. Investment in research must be increased to develop new materials and alloys that are resistant to such hydrogen damage.
The introduction of hydrogen energy in Europe requires a synergetic mix of new investments, solid scientific research by regional institutions, and strategic support from governments. The time is now because hydrogen energy offers Europe the chance to take a leading role in sustainable, green energy production. By seizing this historic opportunity, Europe can strengthen its position as a world leader in scientific excellence. The pursue of energy remains a major geopolitical goal for many nations for the next few years, and here, science can make a stand to the people.
Matheus A. Tunes is Assistant Professor of Metallurgy in Extreme Environments at the Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy at the Montanuniversität Leoben [x-mat.unileoben.ac.at].
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A very nice and informative article. Many thanks and congratulations!
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