Nanocoating improvements for Hydrogen Generation - R6 Cont

牛津纳米系统有限公司(ONS)是一家高科技初创企业，在过去的6年里一直在开发纳米FLUX--一种纳米涂层，可以显著提高蒸发器等两相热交换器的效率。我们的核心技术NanFLUX是一种高度多孔的涂层，通过显著增加表面成核点的密度来增强蒸发换热。与机械和烧结增强不同，纳米FLUX可以应用于内表面和复杂的微尺度结构。展望未来的应用，我们承认英国对可持续能源的驱动。人们对生产绿色氢气用于储能的电解槽的需求越来越大。我们从现有的电解方法中选择了碱性电解槽(AWE)。与PEM不同的是，AWE电解槽不需要在电极上使用昂贵的贵金属催化剂，并且可以提供处理咸水的潜力。ONS专注于AWE，因为它是最成熟的技术，我们能够大幅提高工艺的效率。在这个项目中，我们使用了包括纳米FLUX在内的分级结构来增强阴极。这通过增强气泡成核和氢的释放来降低反应过电势。因此，更多的电解反应是可能的，整个系统的效率将大大提高。目前，市场上还没有一种技术可以提供低成本、易应用的解决方案。我们需要量化纳米FLUX在AWE氢泡形成中的性能，并与未涂层或SOTA样品进行比较。为了实现这一点，NPL设计了流动池测试台，并提供独立的测量。这将使ONS能够向电解槽制造商提供我们的涂层服务，从而为公司提供额外的收入来源。该项目的输出是一份详细介绍AWE应用中涂层材料的性能和加速寿命测试的报告。NPL获得了一个测试平台，并扩大了它可以提供的服务范围。在这个续展项目中，我们将结束该项目。NPL的测试台正在运行，我们A4i项目的所有测量工作都可以完成。从研究的角度来看，英国国家统计局将获得非常有趣的结果。此外，我们还将能够用非常有吸引力的产品接近我们的潜在客户。我们正在NPL的大力支持下申请继续，以便达到我们可以充分利用结果的程度。

Oxford nanoSystems Ltd (OnS) is a high-tech start-up that spent the past 6 years developing nanoFLUX -- a nano-coating which dramatically improves the efficiency of two-phase heat-exchangers, such as evaporators. Our core technology, nanoFLUX is a highly-porous coating that enhances evaporative heat transfer by significantly increasing the density of nucleation sites on a surface. Unlike mechanical and sintered enhancements, nanoFLUX can be applied to internal surfaces and intricate micro-scale structures.Looking towards future applications, we acknowledge the UK's drive for sustainable energy. There is a growing demand for electrolysers that produce green hydrogen for energy storage. We chose alkaline electrolysers (AWE) from the existing electrolysis methods. In contrast to PEM, AWE electrolysers do nor require expensive noble metal catalysts at the electrodes and can offer the potential to process saline water. OnS is focussing on AWE, because it is the most mature technology and we are able to substantially improve the efficiency of the process.In this project we used a hierarchical structure including nanoFLUX to enhance the cathode electrode. This reduces the reaction overpotential by enhancing bubble nucleation and release of hydrogen. As a result, more electrolysis reactions are possible and the efficiency of the whole system will be greatly enhanced. Currently there are no technologies on the market that can offer a low cost, easy applicable solution.We needed to quantify nanoFLUX performance in AWE hydrogen bubble formation in comparison to uncoated or SotA samples. To achieve this, NPL designed a flow cell test rig and provided independent measurements. This was supposed to enable OnS to offer our coating service to electrolyser manufacturers and thus providing the company with an additional revenue stream.The output of the project was a report detailing the performance and accelerated lifetime testing on the coating material in AWE application. NPL gained a test rig and expand the range of services it can offer.In this continuation project we will close the project. NPL's test rig is running and all the measurements from our A4i project an be completed. OnS will gain very interesting results from a research perspective. Also we will be able to approach our potential customers with a very attractive product. We are applying with strong support by NPL for a continuation in order to get to a point where we can fully exploit the results.