With the development of a new method to trap hydrogen in clathrate hydrates, which are ice-like structures, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have made a discovery that could have broad implications for hydrogen storage and astrophysics. For years, scientists have recognized that these hydrate structures would be an ideal storage medium for hydrogen if it weren't for the high-pressure requirement, which makes it too costly for industrial applications. Now, scientists at the Spallation Neutron Source have demonstrated a way to trap hydrogen in clathrate structures at much lower pressures, perhaps providing a path forward for storage of greenhouse gases and understanding the nature of matter in deep space science.
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