Midway Milestone for EXSOTHyC:  Towards Better Electrolyser Performance 

As the EXSOTHyC project reaches its midpoint, we are proud to reflect on the significant progress made toward our shared goal: optimising electrolyser performance for cleaner, more efficient hydrogen production. 

Over the first 18 months of the project, the five consortium partners have worked collaboratively across all work packages to move closer towards the three-fold innovation of EXSOTHyC that addresses key bottlenecks in Alkaline Electrolysis.

• Alternative pathways to the O2 and H2 evolution reactions by new anode and cathode approaches 

• Novel concepts of membrane electrode assemblies with integrated components 

• Novel cell design to enhance overall cell efficiency by integrating disruptive concepts 

EXSOTHyC Scientific Highlights So Far 

• Development of high-surface-area electrode structures using advanced powder metallurgy techniques which is led by Fraunhofer IFAM 

• Successful fabrication of high-performance exsolved nanoparticles with promising electrocatalytic activity is made through a strong collaboration of two partners, wherein the development was led by University of St. Andrews, and the electrode fabrication scale up is by Fraunhofer IFAM  

• Effective Demonstration of Catalyst-coated Zirfon diaphragms using low-cost, platinum-free catalysts enable high-current alkaline water electrolysis (up to 3.5 A/cm² at <2.5 V), with reduced overpotentials and moderate stability, though high-temperature operation leads to degradation over time. The process and result of the experiment have been published in three scientific journals, led by our partners from Eindhoven University of Technology. 

• Promising membrane candidates demonstrated strongly reduced gas permeability, validating the concept, with two materials showing a good balance of stability, ion conductivity and gas permeability. This is achieved through the efforts led by Agfa Gevaert. 

Our progress would not be possible without the diverse expertise of our consortium, a collaboration connecting top-level research groups and commercial players at the international level (Estonia, Germany, the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands). Regular assemblies and shared platforms have enabled open knowledge exchange and accelerated development timelines. The partners for this project, Stargate Hydrogen, Fraunhofer IFAM, Agfa Gevaert, the University of St. Andrews, and the Eindhoven University of Technology have greatly contributed to these efforts.  

As we move into the second half of the EXSOTHyC project, our focus will shift toward: 

• Scale-up and integration of optimised materials into the Stargate Hydrogen short stack 

• Durability testing under real-world operating conditions 

• Techno-economic analysis to assess commercial viability and industrial relevance 

We remain committed to contributing to Europe's clean hydrogen future and aligning with broader climate and energy targets.

By combining cutting-edge materials engineering with a strong spirit of collaboration, the EXSOTHyC project is helping lay the groundwork for next-generation electrolyser technologies bringing us one step closer to a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future. 

Thank you to all our partners and supporters for making this progress possible. We look forward to sharing more in the coming months! 

The project is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its members under the GA 101137604. Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.