Additive Manufacturing Complete Water Splitting Devices: A Pathway to Scalable Zero Emission Hydrogen Production (Additive-H2)

Lead Research Organisation: Manchester Metropolitan University
Department Name: Adv Materials and Surface Eng Res Ctr

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing has been identified as an industrially relevant and strategically important manufacturing technology for the UK. Additive Manufacturing provides a disruptive transformation in how products are rapidly designed, prototyped and manufactured.

Additive manufacturing has clear advantages over traditional production techniques, including: design and production flexibility, accurately produces detailed geometric shapes, accelerated prototyping, energy saving, improvements in supply chain, reduced manufacturing waste and cost, rapid prototyping and is scalable.

This project utilises the proven benefits of additive manufacturing to deliver an ambitious project that will provide a new paradigm sift in the production of zero carbon hydrogen (green hydrogen).

Our aim is to develop a ground-breaking scalable additive manufacturing approach for producing complete membrane-free water splitting devices. We will design and fabricate bespoke additive manufacturing feedstocks using recycled plastic from municipal and industrial waste sources that incorporate catalysts that promote the splitting of water (powered by renewable energy) into zero emission hydrogen (and oxygen).

Our approach most importantly includes a circular system with a closed material loop recycling methodology. This will have a significant impact on the economic attractiveness and deployment speed of green hydrogen and advance zero emission hydrogen production to help meet the UK governments zero emission targets and Hydrogen Strategy.