Science1 hSeptember 28, 2026, 02:32

Cambridge Scientists Turn Plastic Into Hydrogen Using Solar Panels

Researchers at Cambridge built a solar-powered system that converts PET bottles into hydrogen and useful chemicals via photoreforming. A 10.8-square-foot outdoor reactor made of four panels confirmed the process can scale up.

BGR

Open source

Cambridge Scientists Turn Plastic Into Hydrogen Using Solar Panels

PET is ground, mixed with potassium hydroxide and heated at 176°F for three days
A photocatalyst coating on the panels absorbs sunlight to release hydrogen
The outdoor test reactor used four panels totaling 10.8 square feet
Only about 1% of global hydrogen production is low-emissions

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