Lancaster partnership will advance hydrogen fuel revolution

By Lancashire Business View

24 Sep 2018

lancaster-university-nanosun-1000x500.jpg
Lancaster University has partnered with Lancaster-based company NanoSUN to develop novel purifiers that will help accelerate a transition from diesel powered construction machinery towards cleaner hydrogen fuel.

Together, the collaboration will research materials that would be used in technology to purify hydrogen for ‘polymer electrolyte membrane’, or PEM, fuel cells.

PEM fuel cells need hydrogen with a very high level of purity to avoid contaminants damaging parts of the fuel cells.

Purifiers are needed at the location where customers would refill their fuel cells as this would reduce the cost of storing and handling hydrogen.

The three-year research project is being supported by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, funded by Innovate UK. The funding, worth more than £277,000, will enable a dedicated researcher, known as a KTP Associate, to work on the project.

The partnership will leverage the university’s capabilities and expertise in hydrogen purification and analysis to refine and improve NanoSUN’s on-board hydrogen purifiers.

The project, which involves academic researchers from the university’s departments of Engineering and Chemistry, will also take advantage of the cutting-edge facilities at Lancaster’s £11.4m cTAP building, which offers managed business accommodation and laboratory space exclusively for industry collaboration. NanoSUN currently benefits from hot-desking space within the cTAP facility.

Dr Nuno Bimbo, lecturer in chemical engineering at Lancaster University, said: “Fuel cells powered on sustainable hydrogen are one of the technologies that can revolutionise the energy sector, as they can convert energy efficiently with zero carbon emissions.

"One of the most promising types of fuel cells are proton exchange membrane fuel cells, but these are sensitive to small concentrations of gaseous contaminants such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulphide, which can be present in industrially-produced hydrogen. This project will design a purifier based on advanced materials that can remove these contaminants at a low cost.”

Joe Hobbs, chief technology officer at NanoSUN, said: “This is an exciting project which promises to reduce the cost and widen access to hydrogen fuel. This allows customers using our equipment to access fuel supplies which are competitive with diesel, accelerating the transition to cleaner fuels and improved air quality.

“Our collaboration with Lancaster University will give us access to state-of-the-art facilities, skills and knowledge which will allow us to develop highly functional products for an identified market need.” NanoSUN responds to the hydrogen needs of fuel cell users by developing innovative products that refuel, store, purify and analyse hydrogen conveniently and economically.

Latest news

1

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

2

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 2025

3

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing Roger Thistlethwaite, managing director NMS Civil Engineering Limited. Paul Fox, CEO Fox Group. John Flood, Executive Director Fox Group

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing

17 Sep 2025

4

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 Sep 2025

5

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut Nick Holloway of administrators Interpath

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut

16 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin