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nanoFLUX——一种可以显著提高蒸发器等两相热交换器效率的纳米涂层。我们的核心技术，nanoFLUX是一种高多孔涂层，通过显著增加表面成核位点的密度来增强蒸发传热。与机械和烧结增强不同，纳米通量可以应用于内部表面和复杂的微尺度结构。展望未来的应用，我们认可英国对可持续能源的推动。对生产绿色氢气用于储能的电解槽的需求不断增长。我们从现有的电解方法中选择了碱性电解槽（AWE）。与PEM相比，AWE电解槽在电极上不需要昂贵的贵金属催化剂，并且可以处理盐水。OnS专注于AWE，因为它是最成熟的技术，我们能够大幅提高流程的效率。在这个项目中，我们使用了包括nanoFLUX在内的分层结构来增强阴极电极。这通过增强气泡成核和氢的释放来降低反应过电位。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、易于应用的解决方案。我们需要量化纳米flux在AWE氢泡形成中的性能，并与未涂覆或SotA样品进行比较。为了实现这一目标，NPL设计了一个流动电池测试平台，并提供了独立的测量。这将使OnS能够为电解槽制造商提供涂层服务，从而为公司提供额外的收入来源。该项目的输出是一份报告，详细介绍了AWE应用中涂层材料的性能和加速寿命测试。NPL获得了一个试验台，并扩大了它可以提供的服务范围。在这个延续项目中，我们将结束这个项目。国家物理实验室的测试设备正在运行，我们的A4i项目的所有测量都将完成。从研究的角度来看，网络将获得非常有趣的结果。此外，我们将能够接近我们的潜在客户与一个非常有吸引力的产品。在国家物理实验室的大力支持下，我们正在申请延期，以便我们能够充分利用这些成果。

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.