Smoltek works on nanofiber-based cell material for electrolysers
The development work is still in the early stages, though it has progressed well with patent protection and technical development.
Smoltek Innovation is discussing a collaboration agreement with a major manufacturer to develop its high-performance nanofiber-based cell material for electrolysers used in fossil-free hydrogen production.
It aims to collaborate with a major electrolyser manufacturer or electrolysers parts maker to develop its concept. For that purpose, it is discussion its idea with several leading technology companies.
Smoltek is currently conducting a pre-study, which aims to develop a technical proof-of-concept for a cell material for electrolysers based on the company’s nanofiber technology. The pre-study is carried out in collaboration with several European research groups.
Initially, the focus was the protection for its innovations, where the scope has now been expanded to evaluate critical technical parameters and to assess the possible production cost. It also encompasses various methods for corrosion protection, as Smoltek has shifted its focus to the anode side of the electrolyser, where a low pH value provides an aggressive environment. The results so far have been positive, and the fibres produced in a laboratory environment have an appropriate shape.
Once the collaborative work is achieved, it will then shift towards producing a small-scale demonstrator followed by a full-scale prototype with the same size and characteristics in future large-scale production. By starting the industrialisation process at an early stage, Smoltek Innovation can obtain valuable information regarding technical parameters for production to consider in the technical development, and vice versa.
Ellinor Ehrnberg, President of Smoltek Innovation AB, said, “We are noticing a strong interest in our unique cell material from global manufacturers as well as relevant researchers, which is positive for our opportunities to build a well-functioning ecosystem around the concept.”
Smoltek is a Swedish developer of process technology and application concepts to solve advanced materials engineering problems within several industrial sectors.
