This paper presents an attempt to make the alkaline electrolytic production of hydrogen more efficient by adding in situ activating compounds in ionic and complex form Cobalt and tungsten based ionic activators (i a) added directly into the electrolyte during the electrolytic process reduce energy requirements per mass unit of hydrogen produced for about 15% compared to non activated system for a number of current densities in a wide temperature range Energy saving is higher at higher temperatures and on higher current densities Structural and morphological characteristic of deposit formed on the cathode during the electrolytic process reveal very interesting and unique pattern with highly developed surface area and uniform distribution of the pores Obtained deposit also exhibit a long term stability (C) 2010 Professor T Nejat Veziroglu Published by Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved