Splitting Water

Many engineers will tell you that hydrogen isn't a fuel so much as an energy carrier. That is, hydrogen is usually produced with a process that requires an energy input of some sort. Reducing the energy needed to make hydrogen would cut its costs and improve its net energy balance. 

Most of the world's hydrogen gas is produced from fossil fuels, like methane. Scientists recently developed a catalyst that can better produce hydrogen from water. The new material requires less energy, making water a more viable option for producing hydrogen.

Separation Anxiety

Separating chemicals is an important industrial process, but it can sap a huge amount of energy, especially when the things you're separating are closely related. For fuel-makers, cutting the energy required to separate hydrocarbons could lower the price of fuel and shrink its carbon footprint. To this end, researchers developed a new, durable membrane that can separate compounds that differ by less than a nanometer. 

You'll have to wear shades

Oil major BP released its annual energy assessment, finding that fossil fuel prices remained flat due to a surge in supply. However the report also projected a bright future for renewable energy, an interesting result given that BP closed its own solar power division several years ago because it didn't generate enough returns. 

A sign greeting travelers at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland

Only Locally sourced, organic, fair trade hydrocarbons

It turns out oil isn't a monolith when it comes to its carbon footprint. Different sources and production pipelines have differing environmental impacts. A think tank recently put together a report that quantifies the climate change impacts of different oil sources, from tar sands to sea beds.