FASTER, PLEASE: Solar-Powered Membrane Separates Water Into Hydrogen and Oxygen Without Exploding. “The film has other benefits too. Other research groups have also developed solar powered water-splitters, but those tend to have a very short shelf life, breaking down quickly. In addition to not exploding (always good) the new coating is transparent, which helps get sunlight to the leaf, and it is also rust-resistant, meaning that the material can work for a long time without degrading.”