Executive Summary
- Scientists discovered a new type of stainless steel that can withstand harsh seawater conditions.
- This breakthrough could make hydrogen production more economical and efficient.
- The new steel uses manganese, which was previously thought to weaken stainless steel.
The Buzz Score
The Internet’s Verdict: 70% Hyped, 30% Skeptical
Expert Insights
Researchers are excited about the potential of this new steel.
> That is what makes the finding so striking. Manganese is usually not viewed as a friend of stainless steel corrosion resistance. In fact, the prevailing view has been that manganese weakens it.
One expert noted,
> Initially, we did not believe it because the prevailing view is that Mn impairs the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Mn-based passivation is a counter-intuitive discovery, which cannot be explained by current knowledge in corrosion science.
Challenges and Opportunities
The current use of titanium and precious metals for hydrogen production is expensive. This new steel could change that. However, some are skeptical about the claims.
So apart from the clickbait, the reason why this is interesting is because it’s a limiter for the often cited idea of clean green hydrogen from electrolysis.
Focus Keyword: Hydrogen Production
