Materials for Hydrogen Storage: Past, Present, and Future

With a growing world population, an increasing standard of living in many developing countries, a limited supply of fossil fuels, and its adverse effect on the environment, the need for clean and sustainable energy has never been greater. Hydrogen, the simplest and most abundant element in the universe, has the potential to meet this energy need if numerous hurdles in its efficient and safe production, storage, and use in fuel cell vehicles can be overcome. This Perspective briefly discusses the status of hydrogen storage — past, present, and future.