With a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Kansas and Avium—a startup founded by researchers from KU’s School of Engineering—are working to lower the costs of clean hydrogen, reported KU News.
This initiative is part of a broader $750 million investment aimed at 52 projects across 24 states to significantly reduce the price of clean hydrogen and strengthen U.S. leadership in the expanding hydrogen sector, according to the DOE.
Green hydrogen is essential in the global effort to cut carbon emissions, particularly in the industrial, transportation, and agricultural sectors. Traditional hydrogen production methods release greenhouse gases, whereas green hydrogen is generated using renewable energy, making it vital for reaching net-zero emissions targets.
“The entire world is focused on green hydrogen,” noted Kevin Leonard, a professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at KU and chief science officer of Avium. “Hydrogen is a widely used commodity—about 100 million tons are produced globally each year. It’s utilized in fertilizers, cement production, metal processing, and refining. Traditionally, hydrogen has been derived from natural gas, a process that emits CO2 and contributes to hundreds of millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions.”
In 2017, Leonard and KU graduate student Joseph Barforoush created new catalysts that enhance the efficiency of green hydrogen production, leading to the establishment of Avium in Lawrence.
“We have successfully secured Small Business Innovation Research grants, with funding from both the National Science Foundation and the DOE,” Leonard explained. “As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, $750 million was set aside to support green hydrogen initiatives in the U.S., which includes the funding awarded to Avium and KU.”
The collaboration between KU and Avium will focus on developing innovative catalysts and technologies to boost the efficiency and reliability of green hydrogen production. Leonard believes the impact may extend beyond current hydrogen applications.
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