RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
EIC
The main objective of the EIC Accelerator project is, within the project time frame, to develop novel catalyst coatings for water electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel cells with lower noble material content, or completely excluding platinum group metals (PGM), with properties superior to the catalytic coatings currently available on the market. Naco’s HMS technology will be used as a technology platform for novel catalyst coating development, eventually bringing it to mass production of nano-coated membranes for electrolyzers and fuel cells. The advantages of using Naco’s HMS technology for coating catalysts directly onto membranes is not only significant reduction (<10x) of the PGM loading, or PGM substitution with alternative / cheaper materials, but also in simplifying catalyst-coated membrane manufacturing to one-step-process. The partner companies for this research project are Toyota and Ballard.
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY PROJECT
With European Space Agency (ESA) funding support, Naco Technologies is setting our to develop hydrogen fuel cell (FC) technology for space applications and more. PowerUP are the key partners in delivering this project along with Energy Technologies, an Estonian producer of sustainable energy generators. Within the project scope Naco is testing high-speed magnetron sputtering technology (HMS) in manufacturing catalyst-coated membranes—a key component of hydrogen fuel cells. By deploying a patented HMS technology, the team aims to refine the catalytic layer of these membranes. This process, known as direct magnetron sputtering, allows for the simultaneous creation and application of the catalytic layer onto proton-exchange membranes (PEM) in a single step. The expected outcomes? A significant boost in the efficiency and durability of PEM FCs and a considerable reduction in production costs.
PILOTSOEL
The Pilot SOEL project focuses on innovative upscalable and low-cost Solid Oxide Electrolyser component manufacturing. Our primary focus will be the development of advanced interconnect coatings. These coatings, tailored for both the fuel and air sides, will play a pivotal role in optimizing the performance and longevity of SOEL cells. The PilotSOEL consortium consists of experienced partners with complementary expertise and clearly defined roles in the project. These roles include cell and cell component development, interconnector coating development, stack development and automation of the stack assembly process, performance validation, and LCA/TEA analysis of SOEL manufacturing.
NANO-STRUCTURED CATALYTIC COATINGS FOR ALKALINE AND AEM ELECTROLYZERS
Naco Technologies has launched a research project on nanostructured catalytic coatings for Alkaline and AEM electrolyzers with the support from the Smart Materials Competence Centre (VMKC). This project will take place from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026. Naco is focusing on researching catalytic coatings aimed at enhancing catalyst efficiency and reducing costs by minimizing the amount of catalyst materials used. As part of this project, Naco Technologies will employ magnetron sputtering to create nano-structured metal coatings and test their performance in an alkaline electrolyser environment. The successful completion of this project will enhance Naco Technologies' product portfolio for green hydrogen production.
EMISSION REDUCTION FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
In collaboration with Dinex, we aim to develop advanced oxidation catalysts featuring enhanced active surface areas using Naco’s proprietary High-Speed Magnetron Sputtering (HMS) technology. By increasing the surface area by 20%, we intend to optimize catalytic performance while minimizing the reliance on costly precious metals such as platinum. This advancement is essential as the automotive industry confronts stricter EURO7 emissions standards, which require near-zero emissions from commercial vehicles.
