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.
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.
Our research
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News & events
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.
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.
DAAD Green Hydrogen Fellowship Programme
12 August, 2024
As part of the working groups under the DAAD ERA Fellowship – Green Hydrogen program, the DAAD fellows organised two sessions to present their ongoing research, projects, and areas of investigation. FreeHydroCells project scientist, Dr. Ievgen Nedrygailov (University College Cork), participated in this programme.
Showcasing the magic of science at Cork Carnival of Science 2024!
10 June, 2024
FreeHydroCells researchers were delighted to share the magic of science with visitors of all ages at the Cork Carnival of Science 2024. The annual 2-day event attracts an estimated 75,000 visitors.
FreeHydroCells 2024 General Assembly Meeting held in Aachen, Germany
22 April, 2024
The 2024 General Assembly meeting of the FreeHydroCells project took place in Aachen, Germany from 9th-10th April 2024. Project partner AMO GmbH hosted consortium partners from across Europe at the meeting, which focused on further advancing the scientific goals of the project.
FreeHydroCells strives for My Green Lab certification
18 April, 2024
In this blog piece, we learn how FreeHydroCells, along with a number of other environmental research projects, is undertaking a comprehensive external audit of its lab sustainability practices, with the goal of reducing lab wastage and achieving the My Green Lab certification.
FreeHydroCells featured to visiting student delegation
20 March, 2024
The FreeHydroCells project was featured in a presentation to a group of students visiting University College Cork from the Minzu University of China, entitled "Pathways of Water, Heat and Light to Novel Renewable Energy Sources".
