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Home Research & transfer Nanoionics & fuel cells

What is NANOIONICS & FUEL CELLS all about?

  • Advanced solid oxide fuel cells and batteries for clean energy conversion and storage.
  • Iontronic devices for low-power edge computing and neuromorphic applications.
  • 3D manufacturing for scalable, reproducible energy device fabrication.
  • Accelerated materials discovery through autonomous AI-driven laboratories.

Nanoionics & fuel cells

The Nanoionics and Fuel Cells department develops advanced solid-state technologies by combining materials engineering, 3D manufacturing and accelerated discovery processes. Our research spans efficient solid oxide cells for hydrogen applications, full-ceramic batteries for demanding environments, and iontronic devices for low-power computing. A unifying focus across all activities is the systematic reduction of critical raw materials (CRMs) through alternative chemistries, thin-film strategies and additive manufacturing. By integrating autonomous AI-driven laboratories with device-level validation, we deliver scalable, resource-efficient technologies for clean energy and smart systems.

Solid Oxide Cells for Hydrogen Technologies

We develop solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells using advanced materials, thin-film engineering and 3D-printed architectures to deliver efficient, durable and scalable solutions for hydrogen production and sustainable fuel generation.

Full-Ceramic Battery Technologies

We design full-ceramic battery architectures enabled by advanced processing and ion-conducting 3D-printed components, targeting safe, thermally stable storage for harsh environments and critical infrastructure applications.

Iontronics and Low-Power Computing

We develop iontronic devices and neuromorphic concepts that enable stable, low-power edge computing for autonomous sensing and connected IoT systems, integrating tunable oxide frameworks and silicon-compatible designs.

Accelerated Discovery and AI-Driven Workflows

We accelerate materials innovation through autonomous AI-driven laboratories, combinatorial material libraries, high-throughput experimentation and machine-learning models, shortening the path from discovery to device-level validation.

Our activity at a glance

The department brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers and specialists working across its core research areas. Our work combines fundamental research, technology development and applied validation, engaging with academic institutions, industry partners and public bodies to generate knowledge and solutions with real-world impact.

A department expert team

Donut chart and data table showing the composition of 42 total members by professional category and gender.
Data table illustrating the distribution of 42 team members by professional role and gender.

Our research lines

Conceptual map of the "Nanoionics and Fuel Cells" research lines.

Research lines

  • Solid Oxide Cells
  • Ceramic Batteries
  • Iontronics
  • 3D Manufacturing
  • Accelerated Discovery

We develop solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells combining advanced materials, thin-film engineering and 3D-printed architectures. Our work targets efficient, durable and scalable solutions for hydrogen production, renewable fuel generation and industrial decarbonisation, reducing critical raw material intensity through compositional substitution and optimised device interfaces.

Solid oxide fuel cell module showcasing full cell assembly for hydrogen production and renewable fuel generation, featuring advanced materials and engineered layered structure for industrial decarbonisation applications.
Scientist demonstrating a section of a solid oxide fuel cell, highlighting advanced materials and layered structure for hydrogen production and renewable energy applications.

We design full-ceramic battery systems based on advanced ceramic processing and ion-conducting 3D-printed components. Our approach targets safe, thermally stable and resource-efficient energy storage for demanding environments and critical infrastructure applications where conventional battery chemistries present safety or supply-chain limitations.

Close-up of ceramic battery components and layered sections used in advanced solid-state energy storage systems, highlighting ion-conducting materials and 3D-printed structures for safe and thermally stable batteries.
Close-up of a small grid-like ceramic component used in advanced battery systems, featuring a structured lattice design for ion conduction and solid-state energy storage applications.

We pioneer iontronic and neuromorphic device concepts leveraging tunable oxide frameworks and silicon-compatible designs. These technologies enable stable, low-power edge computing for autonomous sensing, connected IoT systems and embedded intelligence, opening new pathways for smart systems beyond conventional semiconductor approaches.

Electronic research component card with four perforations used in iontronic and neuromorphic device development, supporting low-power edge computing and silicon-compatible smart sensing systems.
Scientific laboratory process illuminated by blue light during experimental analysis of advanced materials and electronic devices for energy and neuromorphic research applications.

We develop advanced ceramic 3D-printing processes to fabricate solid-state energy devices with reproducible architectures and pre-industrial scalability. Our additive manufacturing capabilities underpin the entire department’s technology pathway, from thin-film solid oxide cells to full-ceramic batteries, enabling complex geometries, reduced material waste and faster iteration from design to validated prototype.

Scientist operating a ceramic 3D printer in a laboratory for additive manufacturing of solid-state energy devices, enabling scalable production of advanced battery and fuel cell architectures.
Scientist presenting a small grid-like ceramic component used in advanced 3D-printed energy devices for solid-state batteries and fuel cell applications.

We integrate autonomous AI-driven laboratories, combinatorial material libraries and high-throughput experimentation to accelerate materials innovation across all our research lines. Machine-learning models and data-driven optimisation shorten the pathway from materials design to device-level validation, enabling faster development of scalable, low-CRM technologies.

Advanced laboratory equipment for autonomous AI-driven experimentation in materials research, supporting high-throughput testing and development of energy technologies.
Scientist adjusting advanced laboratory equipment for automated materials testing and AI-driven experimentation in energy research.

People

A skilled team dedicated to advancing the energy transition.

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Projects

Competitive and industrial projects from lab to real-world scale.

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Publications

Peer-reviewed outputs at the forefront of energy research.

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Facilities

Scientist working in an energy research laboratory next to a large-scale experimental machine for advanced materials testing and autonomous laboratory processes.

Facilities

The department hosts a distinctive research infrastructure that combines advanced ceramic processing and electrochemical characterisation with AI-assisted accelerated materials discovery, enabling the full pathway from materials design to pre-industrial solid-state prototypes. Anchored by the 3D-printing capabilities of MERCÈ Lab and by reversible SOFC/SOEC validation up to 10 kW, it provides a unique platform for scalable development and technology transfer in energy conversion and iontronic devices.

Scientist working in an energy research laboratory next to a large-scale experimental machine for advanced materials testing and autonomous laboratory processes.
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Tech Transfer

The department has built a strong technology transfer pathway around full-ceramic energy devices and iontronic technologies, with application potential spanning hydrogen production, renewable fuels, industrial decarbonisation, critical infrastructure, autonomous IoT and low-power computing. We work through industrial co-development, protected IP, pilot-line scale-up and stakeholder co-creation, collaborating with technology manufacturers, system integrators, end-users and public administrations and policy bodies. Partners and clients include H2B2, SolydEra, 3DCERAM Sinto, Viver Cleantech, AESA, CELSA, the Port of Barcelona and SNAM, with major contracts including Technopropia (proprietary 3D-printed SOEC technology with H2B2) and EFISOEC (with REPSOL and Técnicas Reunidas). Our outputs include validated stack prototypes, proof-of-concept iontronic transistors, durable micro-energy devices and MERCÈ Lab, the MW-scale pilot line for 3D-printed solid oxide cell technologies. Our IP portfolio covers patents on monolithic 3D-printed SOC stacks, freestanding membranes, composite thin films and oxide-ion transistor concepts, and these efforts culminated in the creation of OXHYD, a deep-tech spin-off founded in February 2026 for 3D-printed SOFC stacks in data centre and maritime applications. Beyond industry, the department has contributed to PROENCAT 2050 and prepared reports for the European Parliament and the Catalan Parliament. This trajectory was recognised with the 2025 Best Innovation Prize of the European Commission for work on 3D printing of SOFC/SOEC technologies.

News

Discover the latest news from our research teams and strategic initiatives.

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IREC logo in blue and green on a white background, representing the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research and its commitment to sustainable energy innovation.
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