Solar hydrogen production has the possibility of changing the energy economy by providing an inexpensive source of hydrogen. Presently, most experiments are done in an open cell where hydrogen and oxygen are mixed in the device, but in order to commercialize the results, the hydrogen and oxygen will need to be made in separate compartments with a membrane separating the two compartments. At present, people use membranes designed for other applications, but these membranes do not have the performance needed for a commercial solar hydrogen device. Alchemr already sells water electrolyzers based on anion exchange membranes. However, the membranes used in these electrolyzers show higher hydrogen crossover than is needed for the photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation, so more development is needed. In Phase I, Alchemrs scientists will modify the existing membranes, with the goal of reducing the hydrogen crossover by an order of magnitude. The membranes will then be tested in a simple solar hydrogen generator to determine membrane performance. If this is successful, it will enable a Phase II effort where the membrane production is scaled so the membranes and small solar hydrogen panels can be built and offered for sale. Upon success, Alchemr will be producing and selling anion exchange membranes designed for the solar hydrogen application, creating new jobs and revenues for U.S. manufacturers. It is also likely that we will be able to create and sell small solar hydrogen generation units to enable solar fuels and chemicals production in locations not connected to the electrical grid.
