The mobility sector is responsible for 30% of GHG European emissions. To counteract this impact, significant efforts are being made to replace internal combustion engines with cleaner and more efficient alternatives, such as batteries or fuel cells. However, this transition demands compact and lightweight power supply solutions with extended autonomy and rapid recharge capabilities.

Today’s alternatives include lithium batteries or proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMs), yet these options face challenges such as limited autonomy, long charging times or restricted power densities. Furthermore, they result in bulky, heavy systems that rely on critical raw materials.

To address these challenges, the Nanoionics and Fuel Cells Department at IREC aims to achieve the industrial validation of innovative solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) manufactured by 3D printing under the project titled DHyNAMO, which stands for “Industrial validation of Disruptive HydrogeN fuel cells Additively manufactured for MObility applications”. These fuel cells surpass the performance of conventional SOFCs in terms of power density and thermomechanical stability. Based on a patented concept, DHyNAMO focuses on validating the fabrication process and performance of this power packs based innovative technology for its application in the marine, aerial and heavy vehicle segments. Through the generation of the first prototype, DHyNAMO will allow the technology transfer from lab to industry.

Moreover, DHyNAMO is complemented by a parallel project named SHyP which stands for “Sailing the route of HYdrogen fuel cells for Powering the mobility market”. SHyP aims to advance the transfer of the technology developed within the DHyNAMO project into the market via the creation of a spin-off company (Oxhyd), primarily targeting the maritime mobility segment. This project will conduct a market analysis and define a business plan centred on the DHyNAMO technology while considering other high-efficiency disruptive solid-state energy devices developed by the research group.

DHyNAMO (“Producte” grant by AGAUR) and SHyP (“Innovadors” grant by AGAUR) have been granted ~148K € and 84K €, respectively, and will both have a duration of 18 months starting this month.

Marc Torrell, from the Nanoionics and Fuel Cells Department, manages the coordination between both projects with the support of the Technology Transfer Department at IREC. Antonio Gianfranco Sabato leads the DHyNAMO project, while the SHyP project will have Juande Sirvent, as scientific entrepreneur, leading the project.

Acknowledgements (in Catalan)

Amb el suport del Departament de Recerca i Universitats de la Generalitat de Catalunya.