Schaeffler has reached a cooperation agreement with Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies and the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg for Renewable Energy Research (HIERN) to jointly develop hydrogen fuel cells using Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology. This collaboration marks another significant milestone for Schaeffler in the implementation of its hydrogen energy strategy.

       Schaeffler Group's Chief Technology Officer, Uwe Wagner (center), Dr. Daniel Teichmann, CEO and founder of Hydrogenious (left), and Dr. Peter Wasserscheid, Director of the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg for Renewable Energy Research (right), participated in the cooperation signing ceremony.

       Hydrogen is typically stored and transported in various ways, such as high-pressure gas or cryogenic liquid, using specialized containers. LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) provides an alternative method for storage and transportation. The patented technology developed by Hydrogenious company utilizes Benzyltoluene chemical substance, which is an oily organic material that can chemically bond with hydrogen and be transported under regular environmental conditions. Unlike traditional fuel cell designs, LOHC fuel cells and the entire supply system do not involve hydrogen molecules. Furthermore, the Benzyltoluene liquid carrier material can be reused, making it highly sustainable.

       Dr.Tim Hosenfeldt, Senior Vice President of Research, Innovation, and Central Technology at Schaeffler Group, stated, "Thanks to the unique characteristics of Benzyltoluene, the LOHC technology developed based on this substance can help us establish a safe and cost-effective hydrogen infrastructure, covering various aspects from hydrogen storage and transportation to utilization. We believe LOHC fuel cells are a complementary addition to traditional hydrogen energy technologies."

Schaeffler is currently collaborating with its partners to develop a novel fuel cell that can directly utilize hydrogen from LOHC, enabling carbon-free operation

       Hydrogenious and HIERN have conducted extensive pioneering research and development work in the field of LOHC technology, gaining valuable experience and a series of patents, which lays the foundation for the advancement of this project. To enable fuel cells to directly use hydrogen bonded in LOHC, adjustments are required in the design of the fuel cells themselves. Therefore, Schaeffler will collaborate with HIERN in the development of the new type of fuel cell. Schaeffler will focus on the production of bipolar plates and leverage synergies to make full use of the experience and knowledge accumulated in fuel cell technology development. HIERN, on the other hand, will be responsible for the development of catalytic converters and proton exchange membranes.

The article is sourced from the WeChat official account "Schaeffler."