Diesel fuel powers everything from shipping to agriculture, and with prices hitting record highs, governments are on high alert. Enter MIT's LNK Energies, which has found a way to convert heavy-duty trucks from diesel to hydrogen, slashing pollution and costs while protecting operators from price spikes.

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers, or LOHCs, can absorb and release hydrogen, but fitting the necessary equipment onto a truck has been a challenge. LNK has shrunk the reactor to fridge size, eliminating the expensive compression step and making the process more efficient.

The LOHC can be stored in a traditional fuel tank and dispensed using pumps, just like diesel, meaning the entire hydrogen infrastructure doesn't need to exist. The company promises that their trucks will be cheaper to operate, promising cheaper running costs compared to diesel at $6.50 per gallon after making just 50 to 100 trucks.

In 18 months, they plan to install a larger version in a commercial truck. The trucks will cost more up front, but the promise of cheaper running costs could make them a game-changer in the trucking industry.

LNK will present live on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt on Wednesday Oct 13-15 as part of their Startup Battlefield pitch competition. Come join us in San Francisco and take part in the action.