Shaping the future of hydrogen fuel cells with silicon

May 31st, 2025

R&D Focus Areas:
Electricity

Lead Organisation:
University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Partners:
Siltrax Energy Solutions

Status:
Active

Start date:
January 2025

Completion date:
January 2026

Key contacts:
Dr Quentin Meyer: quentin.meyer@unsw.edu.au
Professor Chuan Zhao: chuan.zhao@unsw.edu.au

Funding:
AUD$268,000 – Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE)

Project total cost:
Not applicable

Project summary description:
Hydrogen, as a clean fuel, can power everything from cars to industrial systems, with the added advantage of producing only water as a byproduct when used in hydrogen fuel cells, a device that generates electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen. However, the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cells has been slow due to the high costs associated with this technology.

One of the major cost drivers is the bipolar plate, the core component of hydrogen fuel cells. Traditionally made from stainless steel, titanium, or aluminium, these materials are difficult to machine and highly prone to corrosion, requiring expensive coatings and treatments. Meanwhile, graphite plates, an alternative, are brittle, and heavy, making them unsuitable for mobility applications. This has left the hydrogen fuel cell industry grappling with a need for a better, more cost-effective solution that can cater to a wide range of applications.

In response, Siltrax has developed ultra-thin, low-cost silicon-based plates that replace traditional materials in hydrogen fuel cells.

Higher degree studies supported:
Not applicable

May 2025