At
Just like a solar panel is comprised of multiple cells that generate electricity, our hydrogen panel encases multiple hydrogen generators immersed in water. Specifically, the
1) Hydrogen generator: The hydrogen generator forms the core of our technology and is composed of:
- Substrate with protective layers and ion-transport channels: The substrate serves as the foundation upon which billions of nanoparticles are electroplated and protected from corrosion. The ion transport channels in the substrates are designed to prevent hydrogen and oxygen from mixing, ensuring safe and high-purity production of hydrogen and oxygen.
- Nanoparticle-based semiconducting photovoltaic layers: The semiconducting layers harvest energy from sunlight to generate necessary photovoltages and photocurrents.
- Oxidation/reduction catalysts: The catalysts use this voltage and current to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
2) Device housing: The device housing encases one or multiple arrays of hydrogen generators with necessary optical windows and piping for continuous collection of hydrogen and oxygen.
Below is a summary of our recent progress in each of these areas.
Substrate
We have successfully validated the manufacturability of our substrates at both the 25cm2 and 100 cm2 scale, working closely with our industrial partners including Geomatec, a leading manufacturer specializing in thin-film technology; InRedox, an expert in electrochemically-assisted, self-organized nanostructured materials; and our dedicated team at the
Semiconducting Photovoltaic Layers
Located in the core of our hydrogen generator are two semiconductors configured in a dual-junction setup, designed to harness photovoltage and photocurrents crucial for the autonomous splitting of water molecules.
When integrated in this dual-junction setup, our semiconductor units consistently attain photovoltages of 1.8 volts at the 100 cm2 scale, surpassing the required photovoltage for water-splitting by 1.5 times. This accomplishment ensures optimal performance and efficiency, even in the face of potential voltage losses. Additionally, we have also demonstrated single-junction photocurrent densities of 18 milliamps per square centimeter.
Further, our
While our past communications have highlighted our ambition to reach even higher efficiencies, we believe it is important to emphasize that achieving a 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency using commercially-proven, inexpensive semiconductor materials sets us apart from existing solutions and marks a significant milestone.
To put our progress in perspective, a hydrogen panel installation operating at 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency on one football field would have the potential to generate approximately 40 metric tons of hydrogen annually.¹
Our recent accomplishments position us to scale our technology to a 1m2 hydrogen panel with
We are parallelly working to increase our solar-to-hydrogen efficiency with the Project NanoPEC team in
Catalysts and Membranes
Led by Dr. Nirala Singh, the
Our collaboration has also yielded exciting progress in the exploration of potential membraneless operation of our technology. This innovation has the potential to generate substantial savings of up to 8-10% in panel costs.
We are currently consulting with world-leading experts to develop innovative reactor designs and system layouts that minimize the overall levelized cost of hydrogen. We anticipate finalizing these designs in early 2024, paving the way for the deployment of pilot scale projects that showcase the world's first wireless green hydrogen production using cost-effective semiconductors.
As we forge ahead, the
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Matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other factors, known and unknown, including the risk factors described from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the
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1: Based on a constant average solar irradiance of 277.5 W/m2 and hydrogen’s lower heating value of 33.33 kWh/kg.
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