Nitrogenase is central to life on our planet. It provides most of the nitrogen (N) that is used in proteins and nucleic acids and it’s essential in creating plants, animals and other organisms, making ammonia (NH3) which is then used in the biosynthesis of amino acids and then proteins. But while nitrogenase is at work, it’s also creating something else: dihydrogen (H2). Scientists have known for some time that nitrogenase makes H2 by two different processes. Now, one of these processes is clear through the work of a team of researchers who studied the mechanism for H2 production.