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

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

2

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

3

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

4

Chamber calls for three council county Lancashire County Council County Hall

Chamber calls for three council county

08 Oct 2025

5

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance Victorian Plumbing Leyland

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance

07 Oct 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
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

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

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

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