GRS InnoBooster: Fuel cells (FC) are set to transform the mobility sector by replacing traditional internal combustion engines. However, their efficiency is often reduced due to nitrogen buildup on the anode side, contaminating the hydrogen fuel. This contamination necessitates the periodic purging of 50-70% of hydrogen and nitrogen, resulting in a loss of over 600 kg of hydrogen over the typical 1.5 million km or 10-year lifespan of an FC vehicle. This process not only leads to significant economic loss and safety concerns but also impacts the environment; for instance, a single 150-kW fuel cell engine could release over 60 kg of hydrogen annually, equating to the effects of ~0.6 tons of CO2. With the fuel cell market expected to grow from 10 billion CHF to 42 billion CHF by 2030, and the number of fuel cell vehicles projected to exceed 1.2 million, annual CO2 equivalent emissions could surpass 756,000 tons. Therefore, regulations limiting hydrogen purge losses are anticipated. To address this issue, we've developed a patented gas separation device based on palladium-coated graphene membranes.This device efficiently captures hydrogen from nitrogen-water-hydrogen mixtures through adsorptive separation, while allowing other gases to pass through. The captured hydrogen is then recycled back into the fuel cell using heat and vacuum. Our innovative membrane technology not only enables complete recovery of hydrogen, providing savings of up to 15,000 CHF per fuel cell over its lifetime, but it also significantly reduces emissions and improves safety, while providing a sustainable and economically viable solution to a critical challenge in fuel cell technology. This project addresses immediate market needs and is strategically positioned to gain value with evolving environmental policies, establishing it as a crucial advancement in sustainable mobility.

Bridge PoC FellowOur project aims to develop membrane separation units (MSU) consisting of several adsorptive membranes in rows, first, for helium/hydrogen separation, then for carbon capture from air. In this project, we will develop1. Large-scale fabrication of porous graphene which serves as a support in our membrane design.2. A mask for adsorptive layer deposition in order to reduce the nanoisland's size at least 500 times and increase the saturation duration of the adsorptive membranes. 3. Development and prototyping of MSU according to industrial standards. Once the MSU prototype is finalized, the adsorptive layer will be swapped to target different gas mixtures.The development of a membrane for helium/hydrogen separation will affect the helium production process fundamentally and can lower the price of helium. Due to the very similar physical properties of hydrogen and helium gases, they can only be separated chemically. In this regard, our membranes have massive potential to be a real game-changer in the helium purification and separation industry.

Development of Porous Functional Polymers and Membranes for Gas Separation and Capture Applications

CEO and Founder of SEPARATIC

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Development of novel porous graphene for gas separation applications.Reclamation of used lubricating oils using caustic soda and iron oxide nanoparticles.

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Studying and analysis of Lewis donor-acceptor interactions using molecular dynamics and understanding its effect on the molecules.

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