Although hydrogen presents a promising and sustainable fuel source of the future, its production requires rare and expensive catalysts, rendering its implementation unfeasible. 1DNano produces a powerful, more stable, and highly scalable alternative catalyst that does not compromise on activity.
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Greg Schwenk
Greg Schwenk is the co-founder and CEO of 1DNano, a company that produces a highly versatile novel nanomaterial. After growing up in Northeast Pennsylvania and pursuing a B.S. in chemistry at the University of Scranton, Schwenk attended Drexel University, where he received his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. After graduation, he served as a postdoctoral associate to Michel Barsoum in the materials science and engineering department where he developed 1DNano’s catalyst capabilities.
TECHNOLOGY
Critical Need
Looming global threats such as climate change, imposed by current energy systems, serve as a call for abstracts by nature itself to identify a new sustainable fuel source for the future. Green hydrogen, produced using electricity to split water, presents a promising alternative. However, state-of-the-art catalysts that facilitate efficient water splitting employ expensive and rare precious metal oxides—of which there are simply not enough on earth to meet energy goals of the near future. Enabling the widespread use of green hydrogen will require innovative solutions regarding its production from cost-effective yet efficient alternative materials.
Technology Vision
Though current state-of-the-art catalysts in green hydrogen production are powerful, the scarcity of their precious metal oxide constituents precludes their application in a future that relies so heavily on hydrogen. 1DNano produces a novel nanomaterial catalyst with activity that rivals that of the rare precious metal oxides but with enhanced stability. This novel catalyst is produced from inexpensive, earth-abundant precursors that react under simple, near-ambient conditions. In addition to its appealing performance, the highly scalable nature of 1DNano’s catalyst synthesis establishes it as a prime candidate for future green hydrogen electrolyzers.
Potential for Impact
The U.S. Department of Energy has established the transition to a hydrogen-driven world as a high priority. Meeting the energy goals set for the near future (2031) will require using countless green hydrogen electrolyzers that can facilitate the large-scale, cost-effective production of hydrogen. Since current frontrunner catalysts in this domain require precious metal oxides that are simply too scarce to sustain the energy demands of the future, innovation is demanded. Citing promising activity and inherent scalability, 1DNano is uniquely positioned to establish its novel nanomaterial catalyst as an integral part of all newly emerging electrolyzers.