Virginia Tech is leading two major research initiatives aimed at transforming the economic and environmental future of the Appalachian region, thanks to nearly $9 million in new funding. With a $1.3 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and a $7.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the university is launching high-impact projects that focus on hydrogen innovation and critical mineral resource development.

The first project, supported by the ARC, seeks to establish a hydrogen innovation hub in southwest Virginia by developing turquoise hydrogen—a clean energy source produced from methane without carbon dioxide emissions. Spearheaded by Sheima Khatib, PhD, associate professor of chemical engineering, the initiative uses catalytic methane decomposition to convert natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon, turning an abundant regional resource into a pathway for clean energy production and economic diversification.

“We are utilizing natural gas, a relatively cleaner fossil fuel compared to oil, and converting it into hydrogen, which not only is a clean energy carrier but is also used as feedstock for manufacturing in many large-scale industrial processes,” Khatib said.

The Hydrogen Color Spectrum
Hydrogen may be colorless, but the energy industry uses a rainbow of labels to distinguish how it’s made—and how clean it is. Among these, turquoise hydrogen is gaining attention as a potential game-changer.

Produced through methane pyrolysis, turquoise hydrogen splits natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon. Unlike grey hydrogen, which emits greenhouse gases; or blue hydrogen, which requires costly carbon capture; turquoise offers a middle path: it avoids CO₂ emissions entirely if powered by renewable energy and the carbon byproduct is permanently stored or repurposed.

While still in early stages and not yet proven at scale, turquoise hydrogen combines the cleaner profile of green hydrogen with the efficiency of fossil-fuel-based methods. If production methods become sustainable and cost-effective, it could play a key role in decarbonizing heavy industry and transportation.

Other hydrogen “colors” include green (from renewables), blue (with carbon capture), pink (from nuclear power), and brown or black (from coal—the dirtiest options). As technologies evolve, these hues help track progress toward a cleaner energy future.

Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that generate carbon dioxide as a byproduct, Khatib’s process directly produces hydrogen and solid carbon, eliminating the need for energy-intensive gas separation. The resulting hydrogen is essential for applications ranging from fuel cells to industrial manufacturing, while the carbon byproduct has potential in advanced materials.

“While there are alternative methods used currently in industry to produce hydrogen, they often result in hydrogen mixed with other gases, including carbon dioxide, requiring expensive and energy intensive separation processes,” Khatib noted. “Our method eliminates this issue, representing a major advancement in producing clean hydrogen from an existing abundant resource.”

Beyond clean energy, the project emphasizes workforce development and community engagement. Amy Price Azano, PhD, a professor of rural education, is leading efforts to design K-12 educational modules and professional development programs for teachers, focusing on sustainable energy literacy. 

“This grant provides a meaningful opportunity to support teachers as they develop place-based lessons designed to strengthen student learning and rural sustainability,” Azano said.

Industry collaboration is also key. Robert Hart, R&D leader at Shepherd Chemical Company, is heading economic feasibility studies and technology transfer efforts to bridge research with commercial application. 

“Carbon doesn’t belong in the atmosphere. It belongs in high-value, durable materials that bring value to peoples’ lives,” Hart said. “Catalytic methane decomposition to make hydrogen and carbon needed a breakthrough to achieve this goal, and Professor Khatib’s team has found one.”

Virginia Tech’s second major effort focuses on mapping and developing critical mineral resources across the broader Appalachian region. Led by Richard Bishop, PhD, a professor of practice in the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, the $7.5 million Expand Appalachia CORE-CM project aims to identify unconventional sources of minerals vital for electronics, clean energy, and national security.

“We’re identifying critical minerals that can be recovered from unconventional resources,” Bishop said. “These critical minerals are essential for alternative energy applications, such as solar panels and electric vehicles, as well as for components in modern electronics like smartphones, batteries, and semiconductors.”

The project brings together more than a dozen partners—including universities, state geological surveys, and industry consultants—to analyze materials from legacy mines, coal basins, and other underutilized sources across 11 states. Workforce development, community engagement, and the creation of regional innovation centers are central to its long-term goals.

Together, these two initiatives position Virginia Tech as a driving force in the effort to revitalize Appalachia through innovation in energy and sustainable economic development.