NESCA Awardee Projects

3D carbon electrodes with conformal Nickel–transition metal functional coatings for space-based and resource-constrained electrolysis systems

Project Lead: Mike Taverne
Institution: Northumbria University
Partner: EXOTOPIC LIMITED
Amount: £14,724
Theme: Technologies

This project will assess the feasibility of low-cost, 3D-printed pyrolysed carbon electrodes with ultra-thin nickel and transition-metal functional coatings as a resource-efficient alternative to nickel foam for alkaline electrolysers. Additive manufacturing enables geometry-controlled lattices, improved mass transport and >90% nickel reduction. Over six months, the project will optimise fabrication, benchmark HER performance against nickel foam, validate durability on a 10cm² prototype, and develop a commercial roadmap, working with space-sector commercialisation partner Exotopic. The study focuses on applications where mass, materials efficiency and modularity are critical, informing follow-on translational funding for space-based and resource-constrained electrolysis systems.

More about the Project Lead:

Dr. Mike Taverne is a Research Fellow in Nanophotonics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University, supported by EPSRC funding. His research encompasses nanophotonic device engineering, energy storage, and sustainable hydrogen technologies, with expertise in functional material design, optical and spectroscopic characterisation, photo- and electrochemical methods, and advanced micro- and nanofabrication. This integrated approach facilitates the rapid translation of nanophotonic innovations into applications suited for resource-limited and space-based environments.