Ultrathin alkaline membranes with excellent hardness and gas barrier properties to achieve low ionic resistance and mechanical failure in high temperature water electrolyzers with low electrolyte

The Department of Energy's Office of Science has awarded a $200,000 Project Grant under CFDA 81.049, the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program, to Ecolectro Inc., a self-certified small disadvantaged business and manufacturer, to develop ultrathin alkaline membranes with excellent hardness and gas barrier properties. The goal is to achieve low ionic resistance and mechanical failure in high temperature water electrolyzers, in support of clean energy technologies. Ecolectro Inc. has exclusive licenses and patents for novel polymer materials developed at Cornell University, and will leverage previous federal grants from the Department of Energy and other agencies to further refine these alkaline exchange membrane technologies. The award seeks to enable more efficient hydrogen production through water electrolysis by advancing modular, durable, and high-performing materials for integration in fuel cell and electrolyzer systems.