Investigating freestanding energy-to-hydrogen fuel generation by solar energy absorption

About FreeHydroCells

FreeHydroCells, a multi-partner European consortium, led by University College Cork (UCC), has received nearly €3.75 million in Horizon Europe research funding for just over 3 years of exploratory activity.

If fully successful, the ambitious “high-risk/high return” project could provide a low-cost solar-to-chemical energy conversion system designed using sustainable materials. This system has the potential to significantly impact the global energy supply market and assist in urgently needed climate action.

FreeHydroCells overview

Open access

FreeHydroCells is committed to open access and all publications from the project will be made freely accessible.

Technology scale-up readiness

The envisioned proof-of-concept system will be designed, built, tested and protected in such a way as to enable a rapid scale-up if successful.

Equitable scale-up

Any potential scale-up of the system will remain as designed: cheap, reproducible, accessible, and environmentally friendly.

Public engagement

FreeHydroCells is committed to engaging with the general public for input and feedback on all outputs from the project.

Our team

The FreeHydroCells consortium includes four teams from across Tyndall National Institute and the School of Chemistry at University College Cork, Ireland who will collaborate with organisations from across Europe, including the Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique et aux Energie Alternatives, France; Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Germany; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy; Gesellschaft fur Angewandte Mikro und Optoelektronik mit Beschrankterhaftung GmbH, Germany; and BARDS Acoustic Science Labs, Ireland. The project’s science communication partner is UCC Academy, Ireland, who will also provide support on project management.

FreeHydroCells consortium map

Our research

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News & events

3D Printing for Green Hydrogen – The future of sustainable energy with Dr Matthew Ferguson

7 August, 2025
Dr. Matthew Ferguson, postdoctoral researcher at UCC, shares how 3D printing and electrochemistry are coming together in the FreeHydroCells project to create efficient, sustainable hydrogen production technologies.
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FreeHydroCells Labs Recognised for Sustainable Practices – Joins Ireland’s Green Lab Leaders

31 July, 2025
FreeHydroCells has been recognised as a Green Lab Leader under Ireland’s Sustainable Laboratory Certification Programme. This marks a major milestone in our commitment to sustainable research practices — both in the way we work and in the clean energy technology we are pioneering. Learn more about our efforts to reduce waste, optimise energy use, and develop next-gen solar-to-hydrogen systems.
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FreeHydroCells: A Bold New Path for Clean Energy and Climate Action

19 May, 2025
FreeHydroCells is reimagining green hydrogen from the ground up. By eliminating rare materials and embracing decentralised, modular systems, the project offers a bold, affordable, and community-focused path to clean energy. In this post, we explore how FreeHydroCells is tackling two of today’s biggest challenges—climate change and energy poverty—through innovation, resilience, and local empowerment.
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The Urgent Case For Advancing Clean Energy Access and Affordability

28 April, 2025
Energy poverty and climate change demand bold, transformative solutions. FreeHydroCells, a groundbreaking EU-funded project, reimagines how we can produce affordable green hydrogen using local materials and self-driven systems. By moving beyond costly, centralised models, it offers a new vision for clean energy access — one that empowers communities everywhere to create their own sustainable future.
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FreeHydroCells Newsletter: Issue 2 Dec 2024

18 December, 2024
Find out how FreeHydroCells' scientists have been moving closer to their ambitious, groundbreaking research goals in Year 2 of the project.
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FreeHydroCells at H2IRL 2024

20 November, 2024
FreeHydroCells participated in H2IRL (Hydrogen Ireland Conference) 2024, a forum to further the commercialisation of hydrogen in Ireland and internationally.
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A Visit to Ireland’s First Science Studio: Kane Science Studio at UCC

31 October, 2024
Read about the unique Kane Science Studio at UCC, a one-of-a-kind space designed to inspire and engage everyone from primary school students to postgraduate researchers and industry professionals alike.
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Student Spotlight: Alex Knowles, Forensic Science and Green Hydrogen

11 September, 2024
Meet Alex Knowles, a UCC Forensic Science student, whose passion for sustainable energy led him to the FreeHydroCells project. He shares his journey from forensic science to solar-powered hydrogen research and future chemistry ambitions.
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Job vacancy: Research Assistant on the FreeHydroCells project

3 September, 2024
The FreeHydroCells project has a job vacancy for a Research Assistant, based at University College Cork's School of Chemistry and the Environmental Research Institute.
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