Hydrogen and helium reshape energy and manufacturing landscapes with emerging technologies

Hydrogen and helium, the two lightest gases around, are set to play pretty significant roles in shaping the future of energy, transportation, and manufacturing. Despite their tiny molecular size, their influence is actually quite considerable across various high-tech industries, including energy production, heavy industry, and semiconductor manufacturing, based on recent industry insights.

Hydrogen, which many see as a major energy carrier to replace traditional fossil fuels, is definitely gaining ground in a bunch of different uses. Fuel cells—especially solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)—are a big part of the story. These cells convert hydrogen directly into electricity efficiently and reliably. What’s nice about SOFCs is their long lifespan and ability to run on various fuels, making them a pretty handy solution for continuous power needs in tough environments—think data centres or other demanding settings. As these data centres grow, supporting AI and cloud services, hydrogen fuel cells seem like a promising alternative to the usual diesel or grid-powered generators. Some data centres are already using SOFCs fueled by natural gas, with plans to switch over to low-carbon hydrogen later, once infrastructure and costs become more favorable. For example, Bosch has created modular SOFC systems that can run on hydrogen, natural gas, or biomethane, with efficiencies reaching about 85%, and they can operate independently of the grid too. Then there’s Plug Power, which is bullish about the increasing need for hydrogen-powered backup systems in data centres, especially after 2025, as tougher regulations against diesel and rising electricity demands—thanks to AI—push the market.

At the same time, hydrogen’s potential in making industries greener, especially in producing iron and steel, is getting a lot of attention. The traditional natural gas-based direct reduced iron (DRI) methods are well-established, but switching to hydrogen for DRI is increasingly seen as the next big step toward eco-friendly steelmaking. Initiatives like HYBRIT in Sweden and projects by HBIS Group in China are putting hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gases into practical use in blast furnace technologies. Nonetheless, the move to hydrogen relies heavily on securing enough green and blue hydrogen supplies along with building the necessary infrastructure. Market projections suggest that by 2035, roughly 46 million tonnes of steel could be produced using hydrogen-based methods, demonstrating a strong push for lowering emissions. Of course, challenges remain—mainly the high costs and the energy-intensive nature of producing cleaner steel. Policies like the European Union’s emissions trading system and the upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are likely to push steel producers toward greener options by taxing high-carbon imports and incentivizing domestic solutions. Investment flows are also heading into green hydrogen infrastructure, especially in Europe, China, and Oman, indicating steel’s critical role in wider clean energy efforts.

Hydrogen’s isotopes—deuterium and tritium—are just as crucial, especially for advancing nuclear fusion technology. Fusion energy promises a powerful, steady, and clean source of power that doesn’t risk meltdowns like traditional nuclear reactors. These commercial fusion projects have already attracted over $9 billion globally, reflecting increasing interest from governments and private investors. Basically, the success of fusion hinges on overcoming complex material challenges and supply chain issues associated with these isotopes, and researchers are exploring various reactor designs around the world.

Besides hydrogen, helium also plays an indispensable role—particularly in the semiconductor industry. Its unique properties, like being inert and excellent for cooling, are vital during the manufacturing process for semiconductors—especially as tech moves toward smaller, more powerful nodes. These smaller nodes are essential for supporting growing AI and autonomous vehicle deployments. Still, helium is finite, which raises concerns about its long-term availability. This has sparked efforts to develop better helium extraction and recycling methods, as well as substitutes, to meet future industry demands.

Advances in materials science are critical to enabling these gases’ uses. For hydrogen, innovations focus on components like ion exchange membranes for electrolyzers—used in green hydrogen production—along with catalysts, electrodes, and gas diffusion layers. Researchers are trying to reduce costs by lowering the amount of precious metals like iridium in catalysts. In the realm of gas separation, advanced palladium-alloy membranes help produce ultra-pure hydrogen, which is essential for many industrial processes. Similarly, the development of better materials for helium extraction and handling aims to improve efficiency and resource conservation.

All in all, combining hydrogen and helium technologies with new infrastructure and supportive policies opens up multiple opportunities for sectors aiming to decarbonize and push manufacturing performance. Hydrogen’s flexible applications—from clean power and transportation to heavy industry and fusion energy—puts it right at the heart of the UAE’s and the world’s climate and tech ambitions. Meanwhile, helium’s critical role in advanced semiconductor fabrication positions it as a key component in the future of innovation. These trends highlight how integrated research, strategic investments, and international cooperation are essential to fully unlocking the vast potential of these small but mighty molecules.

Source: Noah Wire Services