THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP NOVEL HYDROGEN STORAGE MATERIALS THAT EXCEED THE CAPABILITIES OF CURRENT STORAGE MATERIALS NEAR ROOM TEMPERATURES (233 – 333 K) AND LOW PRESSURE (UP TO 100 BAR) AND DISCOVER STRATEGIES TO MEET THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) TARGETS FOR ON-BOARD VEHICULAR HYDROGEN STORAGE. SPECIFICALLY, WE WILL DESIGN AND SYNTHESIZE HIGHLY POROUS METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFS) WITH OPTIMAL STRUCTURAL FEATURES (E.G., SURFACE AREAS, PORE SIZE/VOLUME/SHAPE, CRYSTAL/PACKING DENSITY) FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE. THE HYDROGEN STORAGE CAPACITY OF THE DESIGNED MOFS CAN BE FURTHER IMPROVED BY INTRODUCING ADDITIONAL BINDING SITES, FUNCTIONAL GROUPS AND HYBRIDIZING THEM WITH METAL HYDRIDES. IN ADDITION, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF MINORITY STUDENTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED/DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOP A DIVERSE AND HIGHLY SKILLED NEXT-GENERATION WORKFORCE.