About the project
Green hydrogen is expected to play a key role in Europe’s transition to a climate-neutral energy system. However, current hydrogen production technologies remain costly and often rely on scarce materials. The ThinCoatAEM project addresses these challenges by advancing Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (AEMWE), a promising technology for sustainable hydrogen production.
The project develops ultra-thin catalyst layers and advanced membrane–electrode assemblies using abundant, low-cost materials instead of critical precious metals. By combining innovative thin-film coating techniques with scalable manufacturing approaches, ThinCoatAEM aims to improve the efficiency, durability, and material utilization of AEM water electrolysis systems.
The project pursues three main goals:
1. Increase the technological maturity of AEM electrolysis components from laboratory scale to validated prototype level.
2. Develop high-performance catalysts and electrodes based on earth-abundant materials, reducing reliance on scarce metals.
3. Demonstrate the integrated technology in a 1.5 kW laboratory-scale electrolyzer stack to verify performance and operational stability.
By addressing key challenges in catalyst design, electrode manufacturing, and system integration, ThinCoatAEM aims to reduce the cost and environmental impact of green hydrogen production while supporting Europe’s transition to climate-neutral energy systems.
