The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and a research group centered around the Environmental Geology Laboratory, Resource Management Laboratory, and Rock Mechanics Laboratory of the Department of Environmental Circulation Systems, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University (Representative: Professor Tsubasa Otake) commenced a commissioned project on May 29, 2026 (Friday) under the NEDO Leading Research Program/Frontier Development Project, entitled "Geochemical and Rock Mechanics Research and Development for Enhanced Recovery of Natural Hydrogen in Low-Temperature Environments" (232 million yen/approximately 3 years). This project aims to develop technologies that contribute to the exploration of "natural hydrogen," a low-carbon energy resource, within Japan, and to the enhancement and recovery of its production, and is a pioneering initiative both domestically and internationally.

In Japan, ultramafic rocks, which are expected to enhance the storage and recovery of natural hydrogen, are distributed throughout the country. In this study, we will conduct hydrogen generation experiments using various ultramafic rocks distributed in Japan and evaluate the relationship between the amount of hydrogen generated and important reaction parameters such as pH, water/rock ratio, and the types of minerals that make up the rock. For the water/rock ratio and mineral species ratio of ultramafic rocks, we will develop a rapid determination method using AI image analysis. In addition, in order to understand the mechanical response of the rock, we will conduct fracture experiments using hydrostatic pressure and discharge pulses, and further investigate the shape of cracks formed by fracture through microstructural observation using μX-ray CT, etc.

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