The Exciting Potential of Geologic Hydrogen

At the recent ARPA-E summit, geologic hydrogen emerged as a hot topic, capturing the attention of researchers and industry leaders alike. The focus is on uncovering vast underground deposits of hydrogen that can serve as clean fuel across various sectors, including transportation and heavy industry.

In the pursuit of this potential, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has funded several projects dedicated to the study of geologic hydrogen. Notably, Iwnetim Abate’s lab at MIT is at the forefront of these efforts. Abate and his team are not only exploring subterranean sources of hydrogen but are also innovating methods to produce this gas utilizing specific underground conditions.

This year, Abate’s research team published groundbreaking findings. Their work demonstrated that by employing catalysts and common subsurface conditions, it is possible to generate hydrogen alongside other valuable chemicals, including ammonia. To further this research, Abate co-founded Addis Energy, a spinout company that aims to bring these innovations to market and has subsequently secured additional funding from ARPA-E.

The development of this technology reflects a growing interest in utilizing diverse geological materials—represented in the lab by various rock samples such as basalt and talc—to facilitate chemical production.

Advancements in Magnet Technology: A New Era with Iron Nitride

The ARPA-E summit also showcased an innovative approach to magnet technology through a live demonstration by Niron Magnetics. Attendees were treated to melodies from an electric guitar embedded with Niron’s unique iron nitride magnets, capturing the curiosity of many.

Currently, the majority of high-powered magnets rely on rare earth elements, particularly neodymium. The escalating demand for these materials is prompting concerns about future availability and geopolitical stability, as a significant portion of the supply is concentrated in China.

Niron Magnetics aims to disrupt this paradigm with its breakthrough in magnet fabrication. By utilizing more readily available resources—namely nitrogen and iron—they have developed new types of magnets that do not depend on rare earth metals. This approach could not only improve supply chain reliability but also offer a more sustainable solution for industries reliant on high-performance magnets.

The electric guitar serves as a tangible example of Niron’s technology. Traditional electric guitars utilize magnets made from aluminum, nickel, and cobalt, which convert string vibrations into electric signals. In contrast, Niron’s instrument employs iron nitride magnets, demonstrating the practicality of their innovations.

Following their success at the summit, Niron opened a pilot commercial facility in late 2024, capable of producing up to 10 tons of magnets annually. Additionally, the company has ambitious plans for a full-scale manufacturing plant, which is expected to achieve an impressive capacity of approximately 1,500 tons of magnets each year once operational.