Advancing the Green Energy Transition with SparkNano
“Better-performing batteries for electric cars and cheaper electrolyzers for hydrogen. With its unique nanotechnology, SparkNano could be a game changer,” says Dr. Jill S. Becker CEO at SparkNano.
Dr. Jill S. Becker received her doctorate in chemistry from Harvard University. Her name is among patents on chemical processes used in microchip manufacturing. She founded and sold a successful research company in nanotechnology, worked for start-ups, has her own consulting business, and is CEO at SparkNano. She fell in love with Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) 25 years ago, the predecessor of the new Eindhoven technology, Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (Spatial ALD) devised by TNO scientists. Now nanometer thin layers of metal can be applied with more precision to large surfaces for mass production.
SparkNano could be a Game Changer
“Because of the speed and efficiency, you shorten the production time. As a result, this technology lends itself well to mass production,” Dr. Jill S. Becker says. The machines can be incorporated into customers’ existing production lines. In her view, SparkNano could be a game changer in the application area the company is focusing on: the energy transition. Especially for the production of green hydrogen with electrolyzer systems, the technology could be of great significance. The membrane that helps split water into oxygen and hydrogen gas during electrolysis is coated with extremely expensive and scarce metals, iridium and platinum. Iridium costs 180,000 euros per kilogram. With spatial ALD you can also apply nanolayers in a very porous material, such as an electrode of an electrolyzer, in a controlled and precise way by using the deep internal spaces. As a result, no material loss occurs, and you need, for example, a factor of 50 less iridium. The technology is also used for batteries by applying a protective layer that prevents the degradation of electrodes in the battery. This will increase battery life and performance. The coating is applied under atmospheric pressure to film rolls at a rate of eighty meters per minute. Customers from around the world now approach SparkNano to supply trial samples. With CEO Dr. Jill S. Becker, SparkNano is now ready to go international.
This article is part of a Dutch interview, please visit the Eindhoven Dagblad website for the full article in Dutch. For subscribers only.
About SparkNano
SparkNano’s vision is to shape the future of battery, next gen solar and green hydrogen solutions by significantly reducing the dependency on scarce materials through unmatched thin-layer quality and flexibility. As a deep-tech product company, SparkNano designs and commercializes Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (Spatial ALD) tools that redefine nanofabrication on an industrial scale. SparkNano’s Spatial ALD technology enables customers to deposit thin, functional layers, enhancing performance and reducing costs in manufacturing electrolysers, fuel cells, batteries, and solar cells. The company offers advanced laboratory and high-throughput equipment, along with comprehensive process and application support.
Learn more about Spatial ALD
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