The overall project goal is to advance gore's ultra-thin diaphragms from technology readiness level (TRL) 3 to TRL 5 in service of two primary objectives: 1) to meet or exceed DOE's next-generation…

The overall project goal is to advance gore's ultra-thin diaphragms from technology readiness level (TRL) 3 to TRL 5 in service of two primary objectives: 1) to meet or exceed DOE's next-generation liquid alkaline water electrolyzer (lawe) performance targets (2 a/CM2 at = 1.7 v with = 2.1 MV/KH degradation) by optimizing ultra-thin diaphragms and pairing them with state-of-the-art electrodes, and 2) to DE-risk the ultra-thin diaphragms for scale-up at gore to establish a domestic supply chain of advanced lawe separators. Expected outcomes are: • pilot-scale rolls of ultra-thin diaphragms with optimized structure and composition, • deeper understanding of diaphragm property-structure-property-performance relationships, • data from single cells and a small stack demonstrating that DOE targets have been met, • a technoeconomic analysis of new diaphragms on lawe stack capital and operating costs, • collaborative relationships among industry leaders to commercialize new lawe technology, and • a more diverse and well-trained workforce, more capable facilities, and more involved community