Researchers at IIT Guwahati have created an MXene-based material that can both generate hydrogen and desalinate water using sunlight. MXenes were reshaped into ultra-thin, ribbon-like structures to raise surface activity, and ruthenium atoms were added to improve charge transfer and hydrogen evolution. The catalyst splits water by electrolysis with a much lower energy requirement than conventional platinum-based catalysts. Used in a Janus evaporator, the same material also converts seawater into safe drinking water using solar power.