Researchers at Cambridge have developed a solar-powered reactor that converts PET plastic bottles into hydrogen fuel without generating electricity. The system grinds plastic, treats it with potassium hydroxide, and uses a photocatalyst to split the resulting ethylene glycol into hydrogen. A 10.8-square-foot outdoor prototype proved the process works at scale, offering a way to cut plastic waste while producing low-emissions hydrogen. Currently, only 1% of global hydrogen is low-emissions, and most U.S. production relies on natural gas. This method sidesteps energy-intensive water electrolysis and high-heat plastic breakdown. The team plans to improve sunlight capture and catalyst durability, and notes the reactor could potentially also generate electricity in future versions.
