A breakthrough in the way enzymes 'chew up' hydrogen has been discovered that could provide for the development of synthetic designs for new catalysts.

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has revealed that new research has found a ruthenium complex could be used to help produce the fuel needed for a hydrogen economy to become sustainable.

Seiji Ogo and fellow researchers at Kyushu University in Japan used a small nickel-ruthenium complex with sulfur ligands that helped to rip up hydrogen bubbled through water at room temperature. This means that the technology could be used to create hydrogen for use in fuel cells and other hydrogen technologies.

Mr Ogo commented that the discovery is "significant", although he was quick to add that three remains a considerable amount of work to be done before the technology becomes a viable way to store the fuel needed for a hydrogen economy.

Sources:

Hydrogen busters go synthetic,26/04/2007
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/April/26040701.asp

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