The New Mexico catalyst maker Pajarito Powder, a domestic developer and manufacturer of advanced catalysts, an enabling technology used in fuel cells and electrolyzers, was selected for two $10 million awards by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the company announced.The funds will be used to increase production and reduce costs of catalysts for lower-cost fuel cells and green hydrogen production.
On the fuel cell project, Pajarito Powder will work with Brookhaven National Laboratory, General Motors Co., Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Strategic Analysis, as well as with national laboratory researchers as part of the Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck Consortium. Community partners include the University of New Mexico (UNM) Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, UNM’s STEM-H Center, and the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD).
Pajarito Powder will work with Auris Noble and Nel Hydrogen to create an increased supply of catalysts that will dramatically reduce the amount of iridium needed for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis. Pajarito Powder will working with three community partners – UNM’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, UNM’s STEM-H Center and the New Mexico EDD and plan to leverage national laboratory expertise through the H2NEW Consortium.
Pajarito Powder’s engineered PEM catalysts reduce the amount of iridium used in green hydrogen production by 14 percent to 60 percent, making the supply of this precious metal extend further. It also greatly reduces the cost of green hydrogen production.
Pajarito Powder opened a new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque this year that will enable 200 times as much production of hydrogen fuel cell catalysts and 100 times as much production of green hydrogen catalysts.
Image of Pajarito Powder
Press release https://shorturl.at/iBTXY
