Project description
Metal aerogels could improve the production of hydrogen and clean energy
Hydrogen can be used as a clean fuel in a fuel cell with zero greenhouse emissions and can be easily sourced by splitting water in an electrolyser. The EU-funded MetGel project seeks to combine these two devices to implement a unitised regenerative fuel cell (URFC). The project aims to make such cells less costly by replacing the noble metals traditionally used by bifunctional metal aerogels. Researchers propose using microwave heating to create metal aerogels capable of catalysing the electrochemical reactions that take place in a URFC. The goal is to provide a new, widely available and sustainable low-cost source of energy that doesn’t depend on fossil fuels.
Objective
The use of hydrogen as an energy vector is an interesting alternative to face the European energy demand, as it can be obtained by splitting water in an electrolyser and then be transformed into electricity in a fuel cell. The combination of these two devices to implement a unique and revolutionary technology known as a Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell (URFC) may transform global energy production, which is of paramount importance, and a priority in the EU program 2021-2027. Nowadays, electrolyzers and fuel cells use noble metals, which are costly and scarce, and may assume up to 50% of the total cost of a cell. Thus, replacing them is crucial to implement a real hydrogen economy. The scientific aim of Bifunctional Metal Aerogels for Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells (MetGel) project is to develop new, innovative and low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for the sustainable production of energy. The societal aim of MetGel is to reduce the technologies that use fossil fuels and decrease their adverse environmental effects. Dr Rey-Raap proposes the microwave-assisted synthesis of bifunctional transition metal aerogels able to catalyse the four electrochemical reactions that take place in a URFC, being the first time that these materials are synthesised by microwave heating and used as bifunctional electrocatalysts in a URFC. If microwave-assisted metal aerogels combine the unique properties of metals and aerogels properly, then they will become extraordinary sustainable electrocatalysts. The research will be carried out in the Microwaves and Carbons Applied to Technology (MCAT) research group (Institute of Carbon Science and Technology (INCAR) from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) under the supervision of Prof Arenillas. MCAT was the pioneer in implementing microwave technology to synthesise 3D-nanostructured materials and has excellent resources and facilities to carry on this research, which are the best conditions for the development of MetGel project.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28006 Madrid
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.