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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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How a common metal like Nickel could replace Platinum in electrolysers and accelerate the EU's green transition   Imagine trying to replace the world’s best performer with a budget alternative—and not just match it, but get close enough to change the game. That’s the challenge facing scientists working to reduce the use of platinum in hydrogen production. And it’s the bold mission of the Horizon Europe project NICKEFFECT.   Why Hydrogen, and why now?   Hydrogen is a key pillar of the European Union’s plan to decarbonise its economy and reach climate neutrality by 2050. Produced through water electrolysis, hydrogen offers a clean energy carrier—especially when powered by renewables. The EU has set an ambitious target: installing 40 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030, which would produce millions of tonnes of green hydrogen annually.   But there's a catch. The most efficient technology for hydrogen production—Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE)—relies on rare and expensive platinum group metals...

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NICKEFFECT recently hosted a webinar, “Magneto-Ionics for Energy-Efficient Brain-Inspired Memory Devices,” on 16th July at 10:00 CET. This insightful session, presented by Jordi Sort, a NICKEFFECT project partner from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, explored the innovative field of nitrogen magneto-ionics and its transformative potential for energy-efficient memory and computing.   The presentation delved into how magneto-ionics, the control of magnetic properties through ion motion, offers a compelling solution for developing energy-efficient memory and computing systems. A key highlight was the unique advantages of nitrogen magneto-ionics in transition metal nitrides, which enables faster and more efficient magnetic switching at room temperature compared to traditional oxygen-based systems. The discussion also covered how nitrogen ion transport in thin films allows for precise tuning of magnetisation and coercivity, opening new avenues for in-memory computing, synaptic devices, and neuromorphic systems.   Attendees gained valuable insights into the remarkable planar, wave-like migration of nitrogen, an ideal characteristic for designing...

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Last month, the NICKEFFECT project hosted a webinar titled "How CAE Improves the Manufacturing Process of Ni-based Porous Electrodes". Organized by project partner VUB, the session featured a presentation by Florin Muntean, Senior Engineer at Elsyca, who demonstrated the transformative power of advanced simulation tools in optimizing electrodeposition processes.   During the session, Florin Muntean showcased Elsyca’s specialized software, which is capable of simulating current distribution during the electrodeposition of porous nickel-based electrodes. He elaborated on how this powerful tool precisely predicts where and how much metal will deposit on complex electrode structures. This crucial capability allows researchers and engineers to identify regions with excessive or insufficient coating, enabling them to make timely adjustments to process parameters.   The presentation underscored the practical application of simulation within the NICKEFFECT project, where these innovative porous electrodes are being developed for various energy-related applications. The software demonstration highlighted several key capabilities:   Detailed visualization: the ability to...

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The NICKEFFECT project was a key partner in the CEN/CENELEC kick-off workshop held on June 18th, which focused on “Electrochemical characterisation at laboratory scale of non-noble porous metal-based electrodes for hydrogen generation in acidic medium”. This workshop marked the launch of a new CEN Workshop aimed at developing a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) to standardise critical electrochemical characterisation procedures for non-noble porous metal-based electrodes.   This initiative is particularly relevant to the NICKEFFECT project, which seeks to advance hydrogen production technologies by exploring alternatives to platinum-group metals (PGMs), addressing significant economic and sustainability challenges. The current lack of standardised laboratory protocols for non-noble metal-based electrodes leads to inconsistent data and difficulties in comparing results across research. This CEN Workshop aims to bridge this gap between research and industrial application by defining harmonised laboratory-scale testing protocols for non-noble electrodes used in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) in acidic media.   Workshop objectives and initial proceedings   The CWA...

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Professor Jordi Sort, an ICREA Professor from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and a key partner in the NICKEFFECT project, delivered a compelling Plenary Talk at the international conference “Donostia is Science”, held from May 28–30, 2025. The event, proudly co-organised by project coordinator CIDETEC, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), a cornerstone of scientific research and innovation in the region.   The Donostia is Science conference brought together a distinguished assembly of scientists and professionals from across Europe and beyond, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas across diverse research areas, including energy efficiency, biomedical applications, spintronics, catalysis, sustainable materials, polymer science, and neuromorphic computing. Notable attendees included Nobel Laureate Albert Fert, a pioneer in spintronics, and vice-directors from CIDETEC, a leading technological centre renowned for its cutting-edge applied research.   In this dynamic scientific environment, Jordi Sort presented his latest innovative...

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The NICKEFFECT project successfully showcased its innovative work at the EU-flagship EUIndTech 2025 event, held in Krakow, Poland, from June 2nd to 4th, 2025. Representing the project were Danijel Pavlica and Laura Cyrne from F6S Innovation, who engaged with a diverse audience of researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers.   NICKEFFECT's participation was prominently featured in the event's Poster Session, specifically within Session V: "Advanced Materials and Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Development", which took place on June 3rd. This session provided an excellent platform for NICKEFFECT to present its advancements alongside other innovative European projects dedicated to fostering sustainable solutions.     The team at the poster session engaged in fruitful discussions, sharing insights into the project's objectives, methodologies, and preliminary results. The interest and positive feedback received further validate the importance and potential impact of NICKEFFECT's contributions to advanced materials and sustainable development.   The EUIndTech 2025 event was a good opportunity for networking, knowledge exchange, and...

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NICKEFFECT recently hosted a highly insightful webinar titled "Industrial Application of Electrodeposition Processes," providing a comprehensive look into the practical aspects and innovative potential of this critical technology. Held on May 26th at 10:00 CET, the session successfully brought together professionals, researchers, and individuals keen on understanding the transition of electrodeposition from laboratory research to industrial implementation. The webinar was expertly led by Dr. Aliona Nicolenco, NICKEFFECT Project Coordinator and Senior Researcher at CIDETEC Surface Engineering. The session was organised by project partner VUB.   Electrodeposition is a cornerstone technique with widespread applications across diverse industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and renewable energy. This webinar served as a vital bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical industrial challenges, offering valuable insights into how these processes are optimized for real-world scenarios.   The well-structured agenda ensured a thorough exploration of the topic: Welcome and Introduction Key Phenomena in Electrodeposition Mind the Gap: Lab vs. Industry R&D ...

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On May 12th, NICKEFFECT project partner Vrije Universiteit Brussel organised a successful webinar titled "Electrodeposition Strategies for Fabricating Porous Alloys," presented by Dr. Eva Pellicer, Full Professor in the Department of Physics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain. The hybrid event, co-hosted by our partners at VUB and UAB, welcomed attendees both in person and online.   Eva Pellicer, a key project partner of NICKEFFECT, delivered an insightful session that delved into the intricacies of achieving controlled porosity in electrodeposited metals. The webinar served as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and anyone interested in the advanced fabrication of metallic materials. Dr. Pellicer not only discussed fundamental principles but also presented compelling case studies that highlighted the practical applications and benefits of employing porous alloys.   Participants gained a deeper understanding of key factors influencing porosity in electrodeposited metals, effective strategies for achieving tailored pore structures, and real-world applications showcasing the advantages of...

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NICKEFFECT's upcoming webinar titled "Industrial Application of Electrodeposition Processes", will offer insights into the practical aspects and innovative potential of this technology.   Professionals, researchers, and individuals interested in the transition of electrodeposition from laboratory research to industrial implementation are invited to join on 26th May at 10:00 CET. This session will be led by NICKEFFECT Project Coordinator, Dr. Aliona Nicolenco from CIDETEC.   Why Attend?   Electrodeposition is a versatile technique with applications spanning numerous industries, from automotive and aerospace to electronics and renewable energy. This webinar will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical industrial challenges, providing valuable insights into how these processes are optimised for real-world scenarios.   Webinar Agenda:   Welcome and Introduction Key Phenomena in Electrodeposition Mind the Gap: Lab vs. Industry R&D Practical Cases Q&A   Meet the Speaker: Dr. Aliona Nicolenco, NICKEFFECT Project Coordinator and Senior Researcher at CIDETEC Surface Engineering, is a leading expert in the electrodeposition of nanostructured materials. Holding a Ph.D....

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NICKEFFECT project partner IRES just launched a new webinar focused on "Life Cycle Assessment: methodology and practical application in metal coating development." This insightful session is a key deliverable within IRES's responsibilities in the NICKEFFECT project, where they are leading the development of the Decision Support Tool incorporating a sustainable by design approach.   As a crucial partner in NICKEFFECT, IRES plays a vital role in ensuring the project's commitment to sustainability and safety. Their objectives within the project include:   Thoroughly assessing the chemical risks associated with the production of selected materials; Rigorous evaluation of the environmental impact and economic aspects of the developed products throughout their entire life cycle; In-depth investigation into the recovery and valorisation of the innovative Ni-X materials; Implementation of advanced high-throughput computational methods to design materials with enhanced performance and durability, meeting specific project targets; Development of a user-friendly online decision support tool to guide material...

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