Member of the month: Smoltek
Carbon nanotechnology reduces iridium use for green hydrogen by 95%
Vätgas Sweden’s member Smoltek is an innovative company in advanced process technology and carbon nanotechnology that has developed a patented method that reduces the use of iridium by as much as 95% in the electrolysis process. This is a significant revolution for the production of green hydrogen.
Ellinor Ehrnberg, CEO of Smoltek Hydrogen talks about their pioneering technology. She has over 30 years of experience in innovation, business development, strategy, acquisitions, research, sales and business management and has held leading roles at SKF, Husqvarna, Mölnlycke Health Care, RISE and Arthur D Little.
Smoltek has existed for 20 years and is from the beginning a spin-off from Chalmers. The company has a strong background in semiconductor technology and is now focusing on broadening its technology under the leadership of CTO Fabian Wenger and Ellinor Ehrnberg. The company specializes in carbon nanofibers (CNF) which have unique properties that give a very large surface area in relation to the volume.
The potential of carbon nanotechnology
Carbon nanotechnology is particularly useful for fuel cells and electrolysers, and has great utility for PEM electrolysers that produce green hydrogen. PEM electrolysers can be started and stopped quickly, making them ideal for use with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Challenges with iridium
A major challenge in the industry is the use of iridium as a catalyst in PEM electrolysers. Iridium is expensive and rare, with a global production of only 9 tons per year. Smoltek has developed a technology that reduces the amount of iridium by up to 95% by using carbon nanofibers on titanium metal instead of plastic membranes. This means significant cost savings and a more sustainable use of iridium.
How the number of fleas on a hedgehog and a toad can explain the technology
Ellinor explains the technology with an analogy between a hedgehog and a toad, and how many fleas can attach to them.
“A hedgehog’s spiky back provides a much larger surface area for fleas to attach to compared to the toad’s smooth skin. Just as the spines of the hedgehog offer more places for fleas, the carbon nanotechnology makes the surface area larger and thus the need for iridium is reduced by 95%, which is enough for all green hydrogen production.”
Future visions and collaborations
Smoltek has several patents protecting their technology and they have recently conducted tests showing that the technology works well even in corrosive conditions. The company is looking forward to building a factory and is now looking for investors to realize this vision.
Ellinor dreams of establishing an innovation center in Gothenburg and continuing the work of driving innovation in carbon nano and hydrogen technology.
About membership in Hydrogen Sweden
Smoltek has been a member of Vätgas Sweden for several years and sees the organization as an important platform for spreading knowledge about hydrogen and its role in the green transition.
“It is also important to conduct long-term research and collaboration to test prototypes and increase the visibility of small technology companies and startups,” concludes Ellinor Ehrnberg.
