[ industry update ]
Ionomr releases hydrocarbon membrane for fuel cell applications Ionomr Innovations has released its Pemion™ hydrocarbon-based proton exchange membrane ( PEM ) and polymer , intended for use in large fuel cell applications , including heavy-duty transport , automotive , and stationary power . The new material is said to offer superior chemical and mechanical stability , conductivity , durability , and efficiency , all of which serve to dramatically reduce the unit cost of the fuel cell .
According to the company , its latest product is environmentally friendlier than conventional fluorinated membrane and polymer technology , decreasing reliance on these increasingly regulated materials , and enables simplified and lower-cost recycling for the recovery of expensive catalysts at end of life .
Unlike PFSA materials , hydrocarbon-based Pemion™ polymers are chemically stable up to 200 ° C , enabling a development platform for other fuel cell components to address industry operating targets of 120 ° C .
Bill Haberlin , CEO of Ionomr , said : “ Pemion™ is an ideal replacement for conventional materials , for its environmental benefits and for its superior performance . With our Pemion™ materials now produced at scale , our partners can take their fuel cell and other clean energy technologies to market faster , cleaner , and with better performance . Pemion™ provides a tangible differentiation in the heavy-duty market .”
Hysata raises AU $ 42.5 million to accelerate electrolyser tech development Australian hydrogen electrolyser developer Hysata has raised AU $ 42.5 million in its latest Series A funding round . The money will be used to grow the company ’ s team and develop a pilot manufacturing facility .
According to Hysata , its electrolyser operates at 95 % system efficiency ( 41.5 kWh / kg ), delivering a giant leap in performance and cost over incumbent technologies , which typically operate at 75 % or less .
The funding round was led by Virescent Ventures on behalf of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation ( Australia ), with participation from Kiko Ventures ( UK ), IP Group Australia , Vestas Ventures ( Denmark ), Hostplus ( Australia ), and BlueScope ( Australia ), via its ventures arm BlueScopeX TM .
“ The support of this international syndicate of clean energy practitioners and investors validates our core technology and our approach to scaling and mass manufacture ,” said Paul Barrett , CEO of Hysata . “ Over the last 12 – 18 months , Hysata has been interacting with dozens of major customers globally . The impact our efficiency and system simplicity delivers to customers ’ project economics truly moves the needle . We look forward to continuing to work with our shareholders and customers to bring this much needed technology to market as soon as possible .”
Chemours to invest $ 200 million in its Nafion™ ion exchange materials Chemours has announced a planned USD 200 million investment to increase capacity and advance technology for its Nafion™ ion exchange materials . The investment will support growing demand for clean hydrogen generation using water electrolyzers , energy storage in flow batteries , and hydrogen conversion to power fuel cell vehicles .
32 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 6 | October 2022