Microsoft Sun of ‘Ki Catalysts’ is a new project that aims to develop novel catalysts for the production of hydrogen from water using sunlight. The project is based on the recent discoveries of AgI–KI aerosol catalysts1 and Zn-SBA-15/KI catalysts2 that have excellent performance in weather modification and CO2 conversion, respectively. The project team hopes to combine the advantages of these catalysts and create a highly efficient and stable system for solar-driven water splitting. The project is led by Dr. Li Sheng, a professor at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, and a co-author of the paper on Zn-SBA-15/KI catalysts2. Dr. Sheng said that the project is inspired by the natural phenomenon of photosynthesis, which uses sunlight to convert water and CO2 into oxygen and organic compounds. He said that the project aims to mimic this process and produce hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy source. He also said that the project will explore the use of artificial intelligence to optimize the design and synthesis of the catalysts, as well as to monitor and control the reaction conditions. The project is funded by Microsoft, which has been investing in various initiatives to combat climate change and promote sustainability. Microsoft’s chief environmental officer, Lucas Joppa, said that the project is part of Microsoft’s Sun of 'Ki initiative, which supports innovative research on solar energy and its applications. He said that Microsoft is committed to achieving carbon negative by 2030, and that the project could potentially contribute to this goal by providing a scalable and cost-effective solution for hydrogen production. He also said that Microsoft is interested in exploring the potential of hydrogen as a fuel for its data centers and cloud services. The project is expected to last for three years, and the team plans to publish their results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. The team also hopes to collaborate with other researchers and industry partners who are working on similar topics. The project has attracted attention from both the scientific community and the public, as it promises to address some of the major challenges facing humanity, such as energy security, climate change, and environmental protection. The project has also sparked some controversy, as some critics have raised concerns about the possible environmental and social impacts of using aerosol catalysts for weather modification and CO2 conversion. Some critics have also questioned the feasibility and safety of using hydrogen as a fuel, especially in large-scale applications. The project team has responded to these criticisms by saying that they will conduct rigorous experiments and simulations to ensure the safety and efficiency of their catalysts and processes. They also said that they will adhere to ethical principles and regulations when conducting their research, and that they will engage with stakeholders and the public to address their concerns and expectations.