Research and development
New technology contributes to carbon neutrality
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Toshiba is conducting research and development aimed at realizing a next-generation hydrogen society and is striving to improve the economic efficiency of each phase of the production, storage, and use of hydrogen.
R&D of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell(SOEC*1)
Toshiba has achieved high hydrogen production efficiency by developing original materials for hydrogen generating electrodes.
![SEM](/content/dam/toshiba/migration/energysolution/ess/en/hydrogen/image/04-01-007.jpg)
In addition, by controlling the hydrogen and oxygen electrode structures and the electrode / electrolyte interface structure, we have succeeded in reducing the deterioration rate and extending the service life.
*1 SOEC:Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell
A part of this work is supported by a project (JPNP14021) commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan.
![SOEC cell stack structure](/content/dam/toshiba/migration/energysolution/ess/en/hydrogen/image/04-01-003.png)
R&D of Electrocatalyst for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysis Cell(PEMEC*2)
Toshiba has developed a unique laminated catalyst structure ACLS*3 for PEM electrolyzer, and succeeded in significantly reducing precious metals by improving gas and water diffusivity.
*2 PEMEC:Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysis Cell
*3 ACLS:Alternating Catalyst Layer Structure
ACLS Manufacturing process
![ACLS performance](/content/dam/toshiba/migration/energysolution/ess/en/hydrogen/image/04-01-008.jpg)
ACLS performance
A precious metal "Iridium" has been reduced to 1/10 of the conventional level.
![ACLS performance](/content/dam/toshiba/migration/energysolution/ess/en/hydrogen/image/04-01-009.jpg)
It enables the cost reduction of water electrolyzer and contributes to the realization of a hydrogen society.