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NICKEFFECT aims to develop novel ferromagnetic Ni-based coating materials to replace the scarce and costly Platinum and ensure high efficiency in key applications.

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On April 1st, NICKEFFECT and the NOUVEAU project joined forces to host an insightful webinar titled "Water Electrolysers for a Sustainable Future". This event provided insights into the latest advancements in electrolyser technologies, with NICKEFFECT focusing on Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE) and NOUVEAU exploring Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs).   This session attracted researchers, industry professionals, and students eager to learn more about innovative developments in energy systems and how these technologies are driving a more sustainable future. The speakers provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with their respective electrolyser technologies.   Insights from NOUVEAU: Advancing SOEC Technology   Vesna Middelkoop, NOUVEAU Project Coordinator from VITO, presented "Development of SOECs – a pathway to a sustainable future". Her presentation explored how SOEC technology plays a crucial role in the transition towards a green hydrogen economy and a low-carbon future. While SOECs do not use platinum group elements (PGEs), they still contain...

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Electrodeposition plays a crucial role in the fabrication of advanced coatings and materials with tailored properties. Research on the electrochemical deposition of nickel-based alloys highlights its catalytic performance. Investigating the nucleation and growth mechanisms in Ni-based alloys deposition bridges the gap between fundamental electrochemistry and practical applications.   Defining New Electrochemical Reactions   One of the key challenges in Ni alloy electrodeposition is understanding the reduction mechanism of alloying element. Unlike nickel, which reduces directly, certain alloying elements undergo a more complex reduction process. Through electrochemical modeling, new reaction pathways were defined by summing multiple electrochemical reactions and optimizing the Butler-Volmer equations. This approach enables a more accurate description of the kinetic parameters governing the process.   AI-Powered Analysis of SEM Images   To quantify the nucleation behavior, the VUB AI tool was utilized for analyzing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. This AI-driven approach enables precise detection and measurement of nuclei, providing valuable insights into the effect of...

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The transition from laboratory-scale research to pilot-scale production is a crucial phase in developing nickel coating technologies. While these coatings are expected to provide excellent corrosion resistance, durability, and conductivity, their large-scale production and application must be assessed for sustainability, economic feasibility, and regulatory compliance. Ensuring sustainability during this transition is essential to minimize environmental impact, optimize costs, and meet regulatory standards.   A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental footprint, focusing on raw material extraction, energy consumption, emissions, and waste management. Nickel production and electroplating are energy-intensive and generate hazardous by-products such as heavy metal waste and chemical effluents. Sustainable solutions, including closed-loop recycling, optimized plating baths, and eco-friendly alternatives, help mitigate these impacts. In addition, a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Analysis assesses capital and operational costs, process efficiency, and market potential to ensure cost-effective scaling. Innovations such as low-energy deposition techniques and resource-efficient chemical formulations improve economic viability while...

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Since the NICKEFFECT projects aims at replacing platinum catalyst based PEM Fuel Cell (FC) cathodes by porous graphite electrodes that are covered with nickel alloy (nano-)particles, the plating process for creating these nickel nuclei populations  must be properly understood and controlled.   Same as for Water Electrolysis (WE) cells, the use of porous electrodes allows creating a high surface to volume ratio.  The throwing power of a full coverage nickel alloy plating process into a porous structure as for example a carbon fiber cloth is limited (WE cathodes), and the same holds for a nucleation plating process into a porous carbon structure (FC cathodes).  But whereas the main specifications in case of a full coverage nickel alloy plating process for WE cathodes involve primarily the local plating layer thickness and alloy content, for FC cathodes practically all local characteristics of the nuclei population are of importance, involving nuclei density, nuclei size...

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On December 10, the stakeholder meeting organized by the European Commission on “Driving EU prosperity: The future of Knowledge Valorisation” took place in Brussels, with live streaming broadcast. The program, introduced by Maria Cristina Russo, Director Prosperity Directorate from DG Research and Innovation, included, among other topics, panels on Industry and Academia Co-Creation, Socially Responsible Licensing or Effective Management of Standards and Intellectual Property. UNE, the NICKEFFECT's partner for standardization, participated in this roundtable about Standardization and IP.   UNE is the European standardization body with the largest number of participations in European research and innovation (R&I) projects, with around 120 funded ones, among which NICKEFFECT is one of those currently in progress. Fernando Utrilla, Head of the R&I Unit at UNE, conveyed to the event participants the best practices to take advantage of the benefits of standardization in these projects, as well as the lessons learned and recommendations to improve performance...

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Hydrogen is recognised as a clean energy carrier that could play a key role in reducing global carbon emissions. In Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEM WE), the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) takes place at the cathode, where protons from the acidic electrolyte combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas. Catalysts are essential to this process, as they reduce the activation energy required for the reaction. Noble metals such as platinum are the benchmark materials for HER catalysts due to their exceptional activity and stability. However, their scarcity and high cost limit large-scale adoption. Non-noble catalysts, including transition metal-based materials such as nickel, molybdenum, and cobalt compounds, are attractive alternatives due to their lower cost and abundance. Despite these advantages, non-noble catalysts are more susceptible to degradation under the acidic conditions of PEM WE.   The degradation of non-noble metal catalysts can arise from several processes, which often are interdependent. While the...

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Recycling as a key of material circularity and societal acceptance   Production of energy from renewable sources is one of the keys to face the ongoing environmental crisis. The intermittency of renewable energies (wind, solar) pushed the emergence of energy storage technologies and industries such as the battery industry for storage as electrical energy, or the hydrogen industry for storage as chemical energy. Hydrogen can be produced through water electrolysis during energy overproduction periods to be transported and used on a different location and time using fuel cells, and notably Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). These devices can convert hydrogen back into electricity and only emit water and heat, however, they rely on the use of raw materials that are expensive and can be critical or pose environmental issues such as platinum group metals, and perfluorinated polymers. There is a necessity to guarantee the recyclability of the constitutive materials of new...

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Developing new materials involves navigating a series of complex decisions. For example:   Should the focus be on improving performance or reducing cost? How will manufacturing processes impact material properties? What trade-offs are acceptable in terms of sustainability or production timelines?   Every choice impacts the final material and its applications. Materials modelling, and in particular multiscale materials modelling, aims to improve this process by linking simulations across different scales, providing a detailed understanding of how decisions at the micro or nanoscale affect macroscopic performance. However, to be effective, modelling tools must not only generate accurate predictions but also support practical decision-making [1,2].   Requirements for Effective Multiscale Materials Modelling Frameworks   For multiscale materials modelling to enhance decision-making, the tools must address key needs [1,2]:   Integrated Modelling Across Scales: Material behaviour and property are often dominated by phenomena occurring at different scales, therefore the system should seamlessly connect models at different scales, such as atomic-level simulations,...

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The use of standardisation in research and innovation projects aims to increase the impact and significance of the results obtained by including them in new standards. This helps to make them more accessible to industry, regulators and society at large, transferring knowledge generated in research to the market. This is in line with the European Policy on Knowledge Valorisation and the ERA Code of Practice on Standardisation, which recommend using tools such as standardisation, among others, to make research results benefit economic activity, welfare and safety in Europe.   The participation of a dedicated partner such as UNE (Spanish Association for Standardization) makes it easier for projects to develop this type of activity. UNE has already participated in more than a hundred European projects, obtaining results such as the publication of more than 60 CWAs (CEN-CENELEC Workshop Agreement), creation of working groups (WG) in CEN, contribution to standards or revision of ISO...

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ADVENT Technologies is poised to capitalize on the growing opportunities in the Water Electrolysis WE market. Although the WE sector, along with its related fuel cell technologies, remains relatively small compared to other industries such as automotive, ADVENT sees immense potential for expansion.   This growth outlook is reinforced by the increasing focus on sustainability and the potential EU ban on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are used in many conventional electrolyzers. A key driver of ADVENT’s strategy in this space is its involvement in the NICKEFFECT project, a consortium focused on developing innovative, PGM-free (Platinum Group Metals) for water electrolysis technologies.   ADVENT plans to leverage the outcomes of NICKEFFECT to establish a stronger presence in the WE market and take a leadership role in the industry.  ADVENT will use its involvement in the NICKEFFECT consortium as a platform to promote its expertise and new product offerings. By collaborating with industry leaders...

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