TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Platinum-Free Hydrogen Catalyst

Tender summary

<p>The Platinum-Free Hydrogen Catalyst&nbsp;technology from Los Alamos National Laboratory enables high-performance hydrogen production using entirely earth-abundant, U.S.-accessible materials instead of scarce and expensive precious metals like platinum. By delivering performance comparable to platinum-based systems and improved durability in an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer, it offers a pathway to lower-cost, domestically scalable hydrogen generation for industrial manufacturing, energy storage, refining, ammonia production and other strategic sectors. Eliminating reliance on precious metals strengthens supply chain security, reduces exposure to foreign-controlled critical materials and supports U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. The result is a cost-effective, durable and commercially viable hydrogen production platform aligned with national priorities in energy independence, industrial resilience, and advanced materials innovation.</p> <p><strong>The Challenge: </strong></p> <p>Hydrogen production via water electrolysis through anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer is gaining industrial momentum, but current high-performance systems depend heavily on precious metal catalysts such as platinum and platinum&ndash;ruthenium at the cathode. These materials are expensive, globally supply-constrained and subject to geopolitical and pricing volatility, creating cost and scaling barriers for electrolyzer manufacturers. At the same time, efforts to replace precious metals with earth-abundant alternatives have historically resulted in lower activity, reduced durability&mdash;preventing non-precious metal systems from matching platinum-level performance at industrially relevant current densities. The market needs a hydrogen evolution catalyst that eliminates precious metals without sacrificing efficiency, durability or manufacturability.</p> <p><strong>Problems Solved:</strong></p> <p>Platinum-Free Hydrogen Catalyst eliminates the need for precious metal cathode catalysts while delivering performance comparable to platinum&ndash;ruthenium systems in anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers. By engineering a porous transport layer&ndash;supported nickel&ndash;molybdenum&ndash;phosphide (NiMoPx) catalyst with precise control over composition and loading, it closes the long-standing activity gap between earth-abundant and precious metal HER catalysts. The result is industrially relevant current density (3 A/cm&sup2; at 1.84 V), improved durability (2.5&times; longer in 100-hour testing) and consistent catalyst deposition compatible with scalable electrode fabrication. For electrolyzer manufacturers, this translates to reduced material costs, lower exposure to critical mineral supply risk and a viable pathway to high-performance, precious metal&ndash;free hydrogen production.</p> <p><strong>Key Advantages:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Precious-metal-free performance &ndash; </strong>Matches platinum&ndash;ruthenium cathode performance in AEM electrolyzers (3 A/cm&sup2; at 1.84 V)</li> <li><strong>Enhanced durability</strong> &ndash; Demonstrates 2.5&times; longer life in 100-hour testing versus PtRu catalysts</li> <li><strong>Lower cost </strong>&ndash; Replaces platinum with earth-abundant nickel and molybdenum.</li> <li><strong>Supply chain advantage </strong>&ndash; Minimizes reliance on scarce, globally concentrated precious metals.</li> <li><strong>OEM-compatible and scalable</strong> &ndash; PTL-supported architecture with controlled catalyst loading suitable for industrial AEMWE platforms.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Market Applications: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Hydrogen Production &amp; Industrial Gas Supply</li> <li>Energy &amp; Power Generation</li> <li>Oil, Gas &amp; Refining</li> <li>Chemical &amp; Fertilizer Manufacturing</li> <li>Metals &amp; Industrial Processing</li> <li>Transportation &amp; Infrastructure</li> </ul> <p></p> <p>Development Status: TRL 3</p> <p>US patent pending</p> <p>LA-UR-26-23078</p> <p></p> <p><strong>LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential</strong></p> <p>Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.</p> <p>LANL&rsquo;s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov.</p> <p>Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.</p> <p>https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology</p> <p>m.lanl.gov/tech-search</p>

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• Deadline listed as 30 Apr 2026.
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