High Capacity Electrolyzers Based on Ultrathin Proton-Conducting Oxide Membranes

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
OPEN 2021
Award:
$3,375,712
Location:
New York, New York
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
07/01/2022 - 06/30/2025
Website:

Technology Description:

Columbia University proposes a low-temperature water electrolyzer for hydrogen production based on ultrathin oxide membranes that can increase electrolysis efficiency by 20% compared with conventional polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. The enhanced performance of Columbia’s proton-conducting oxide membrane (POM) electrolyzers is enabled by the lower ionic resistance of dense oxide-based membranes that are 2 orders of magnitude thinner than conventional catalyst-coated membranes. If successful, the capital cost of POM electrolyzer stacks will be significantly lower than today’s PEM electrolyzers and more efficient to operate. These benefits will be key enablers toward $1/kg hydrogen costs.

Potential Impact:

Producing carbon-free green hydrogen from low-temperature (< 100 °C) water electrolysis is a highly attractive approach to enabling large-scale decarbonization across a variety of end-use sectors.

Security:

If successful, this disruptive electrolyzer technology could produce clean, domestically-produced H2 fuel for the heavy transportation and chemical industry sectors that can compete with fossil-derived H2 and gasoline.

Environment:

This technology would ultimately reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels that create harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Economy:

This technology would enable U.S. leadership in manufacturing next generation electrolyzers.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Halle Cheeseman
Project Contact:
Prof. Daniel Esposito
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
de2300@columbia.edu

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Release Date:
02/11/2021