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
New video showcases state-of-the-art ALD equipment at Tyndall, UCC
21 August, 2023
In a new video, researcher Jun Lin showcases the capabilities of two pieces of state-of-the-art ALD (atomic layer deposition) equipment at the Advanced Materials and Surfaces Group, based in Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork in Ireland.
FreeHydroCells featured in Nanovate! magazine
16 August, 2023
'Inspired by Nature' - A two page feature on the FreeHydroCells project was published in the July 2023 edition of Nanovate! magazine. The piece illustrates how the core concept of FreeHydroCells draws on naturally occurring photosynthesis processes found in the natural world.
Q&A with FreeHydroCells’ Alex Buttimer
10 August, 2023
We sat down with Alex Buttimer to learn more about her background, nanoscience research interests, and the valuable contribution she has made towards the development of FreeHydroCells' gas collection systems during her summer internship at Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork.
