H2U Technologies and Tokyo Gas have partnered under a multi-year Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to discover novel catalysts and develop techniques to apply those catalysts onto membranes. The companies will leverage H2U’s proprietary Catalyst Discovery Engine (CDE) to reduce the cost of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers.

Energy suppliers and manufacturers across the globe are taking the initiative to scale up electrolyzer manufacturing, especially for PEM electrolyzers that are ideal for making green H₂ from renewable energy sources like wind and solar. However, a major hurdle stands in the way. Contemporary PEM electrolyzer designs rely on rare, costly platinum group metals (PGMs) like iridium, a very expensive element with a highly constrained supply.

That’s where H2U’s proprietary CDE comes into play. The CDE allows scientists to rapidly discover and develop novel catalysts that are composed of abundant materials costing a fraction of the price of precious metals in use today. H2U scientists then use artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to further refine the search for the optimal catalyst materials.

By collaborating with H2U and utilizing the CDE, Tokyo Gas aims to develop low-cost, high-performance, non-iridium catalysts and catalyst-coated membranes, thereby developing an insurance policy against future supply chain issues. Tokyo Gas plans to utilize H₂ produced from electrolysis either directly or to manufacture e-methane.

“We’re very pleased to initiate this joint development agreement with H2U Technologies to discover and evaluate new electrocatalyst compositions,” said Executive Officer, Director Dr. Hisataka Yakabe. “Undertaking electrolyzer catalyst discovery with H2U scientists presents an opportunity to leverage their unique and proprietary CDE with AI/ML capabilities and collaborate to test these low-cost, non-iridium materials in commercially relevant conditions.”

“Our CDE is a great opportunity for energy suppliers, renewable H₂ project developers, and electrolyzer manufacturers, like Tokyo Gas, to discover and develop efficient, active, and lower-cost replacements for PGM-based electrocatalysts within a joint development approach,” said Mark McGough, CEO of H2U Technologies. “The cost of producing green H₂ today is too high and the reliance on rare and costly catalyst materials is not sustainable. Through scientific collaboration, our CDE will allow Tokyo Gas to rapidly discover novel materials so they can bring their own PEM electrolyzers to market and produce renewable H₂ at affordable costs. We’re very pleased to work with Tokyo Gas to help them accelerate the delivery of green H₂ to their customers.”