Pittsburgh Review

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced $750 million in funding for 52 projects to dramatically reduce the cost of clean hydrogen and reinforce American leadership in the growing hydrogen industry. Carnegie Mellon University’s Shawn Litster was a sub-awardee on five of the selected projects with a total funding of $50 million and a combined budget of $2.5 million directed to his lab over the next three years.

Litster’s lab is focused on translating new developments in materials including catalysts and polymers to high-performance fuel cells and electrolyzers through a framework that encompasses advanced fabrication, experimental diagnostics, ultrahigh resolution 3D imaging, and multiscale simulation.

"What excites me about this funding is that the research will advance critical technologies for tackling many of the hard-to-abate carbon emissions sectors, including heavy duty transportation," said Litster, professor of mechanical engineering and head of the Electrochemical Decarbonization Lab. "Long-haul trucks are very difficult to electrify with batteries because of the weight and recharging time of batteries, so hydrogen fuel cells are a promising alternative for electrification thanks to the high energy density of hydrogen and the rapid refueling time."

While two projects focus on fuel cells, three of the funded projects are on water electrolysis for hydrogen production from low carbon electricity sources.

"Electrolyzers to produce low-carbon hydrogen are critical to address carbon emissions associated with producing fertilizer, steel, aviation fuels and cement," Litster explained.