ilopetegui

ilopetegui · April 4, 2025 ·

CIDETEC Surface Engineering drives innovation in durable and efficient PGM-free electrocatalysts, enhancing seawater electrolysis.

SWEETHY (direct Seawater Electrolysis Technology for distributed Hydrogen production) is a 4-year project, co-funded by the European Union, that aims at the development of an innovative electrolysis stack, capable of producing 20 g h-1 of hydrogen directly from seawater.

The project addresses the challenge of processing impure water by leveraging the innovative AEMWE (anion exchange membrane water electrolyser) technology and by developing new, more durable and cost-effective materials, capable of withstanding highly corrosive saline conditions. The developed electrolyser stack will ultimately secure > 2000 h of operation under a 1%/100 h degradation rate.

The overall sustainability and circularity of the electrolyser platform are ensured by the identification of symbiotic solutions in collaboration with external industrial partners for the efficient re-use of the electrolyser by-products (brine and other seawater salts, as well as heat).

Ultimately, the work of SWEETHY will enable the deployment of remote and distributed hydrogen production through the use of seawater and decentralized renewable energy sources.

Within the SWEETHY project, CIDETEC Surface Engineering will contribute its extensive expertise in the development of novel PGM-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Its knowledge will be essential in selecting the most suitable materials for the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and validating system performance through single cell testing.

Additionally, CIDETEC Surface Engineering will play a key role in local electrochemical analysis, assessing the behavior of anti-corrosion coatings and their impact on the durability of the electrolyser under highly saline conditions. Its participation will drive significant advancements in the efficiency and sustainability of AEMWE technology, reinforcing the development of innovative solutions for hydrogen production from seawater.

This ambitious project brings together 9 organizations (2 research centres, 4 research and technology centres and 3 small-medium enterprises) across 7 European countries (Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Norway and the Netherlands).

The project is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its members (under Grant Agreement No 101192342).

ilopetegui · March 19, 2025 ·

CIDETEC Surface Engineering is participating in the project, which tackles key challenges such as reducing environmental impact without compromising the performance of Type IV tanks, mitigating hydrogen embrittlement in critical components, and ensuring safer and more reliable operation by identifying and preventing potential risks.

Hydrogen’s ability to be produced from renewable sources, combined with its high energy density, makes it a key energy vector in the transition to a low-carbon economy. However, to fully harness its potential in a sustainable future economy, overcoming a series of technical and economic challenges is crucial. These include the development of safe and efficient technologies for hydrogen production, storage, and usage, as well as the implementation of a supply infrastructure that is both accessible and economically viable.

In a global mobility scenario that includes vehicles, rail, maritime, and heavy transport, among others, and given the emerging use of hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels, the HIMUGI project “Safe and Sustainable Hydrogen Systems for Mobility/Transport” aims to develop a more efficient, safe, and sustainable propulsion system for mobility and transport applications. To achieve this, the project will focus on three key technological areas: The research on sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing processes for Type IV tanks in tubular configurations; the investigation of critical metallic components addressing aspects of design, additive manufacturing, and embrittlement; and the safety design and simulation through control and sensorization of hot spots to ensure the comprehensive safety of the system in hydrogen mobility applications.

As a result of the HIMUGI project, a hydrogen test bench (operating at 350 bar) will be developed for system validation in laboratory conditions. This demonstrator will integrate various technological advances achieved within the project. Its conceptualization and design will be carried out in collaboration with CAF and will not only focus on applications in trains and the resolution of current technical challenges but will also serve as a model for the development of a comprehensive high-pressure hydrogen transport system.

This project represents a unique opportunity for Euskadi, highlighting and strengthening the capabilities of the companies involved. Additionally, it fosters collaboration that will allow the Basque industry to position itself distinctively in the market. The consortium consists of: ARGOLABE INGENIERIA, project coordinator and experts in the calculation and sizing of complex materials; CASTRO, specialists in the development of plastic components using rotational molding; FIDEGAS, leaders in high-pressure hydrogen integration applications; IK/INGENIERIA, environmental consultancy experts; MARISKONE, an advanced manufacturing company specializing in composite materials; OPTIMUS 3D, specialists in additive manufacturing; TAMOIN, experts in comprehensive solutions for the hydrogen industry; TEAM INGENIERÍA Y CONSULTORÍA, project developers specializing in hydrogen facility safety management; TRAFAG, specialists in manufacturing pressure, temperature, and gas density sensors; and ULMA FORJA, experts in forging components, with a particular focus on flanges and joints.

The project also includes four entities from the Basque Science, Technology, and Innovation Network. In addition to CIDETEC Surface Engineering, CEIT, TECNALIA, and the supply-demand intermediary agent, the ENERGY CLUSTER, are participating.

The project has a duration of three years (2024-2026) and is funded by the Department of Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability of the Basque Government (HAZITEK Programme) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Interested entities can find more information and stay updated on project progress through the LinkedIn page of the project @HIMUGI project.

ilopetegui · February 28, 2025 ·

It will also participate in the upcoming European Partnership for Advanced Materials (IAM4EU)

The Innovative Advanced Materials Initiative (IAM-I) was officially launched on January 30, 2025, in Brussels with more than 260 members from across Europe, including SMEs, large corporations, universities, and expert centers in Advanced Materials. The association is expected to surpass 300 members by the end of the year. IAM-I will play a key role in shaping European policies on innovative advanced materials, acting as the private entity that will oversee the emerging IAM4EU partnership (Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe), once the agreement with the European Commission is signed, scheduled for late March.

CIDETEC is involved in this initiative not only as a member of the association but also as part of its governing bodies, represented by Dr. Elena Jubete, Business Developer for European Programs at CIDETEC Surface Engineering. On January 31, 2025, IAM-I held its first General Assembly, where the representatives for its governing bodies were elected. Dr. Jubete was chosen for one of the four European seats for technology centers within the association’s delegation. This means CIDETEC will actively contribute to the strategy and decision-making process within the initiative, bringing its expertise in research and development of innovative materials.

The initiative will play a crucial role in building a European research and innovation ecosystem that accelerates the development and commercialization of sustainable advanced materials and associated technologies, aligned with the principles of the digital and circular economy. Specifically, the co-programmed European partnership “Advanced Materials for Europe” (IAM4EU), which is about to be formalized, falls under the Horizon Europe program. Its goal is to establish a strong R&D agenda based on resilient and circular value chains, cross-cutting technologies, and innovative methodologies. IAM-I will work closely with the European Commission (DG Research, DG Grow) and other stakeholders to define key areas of intervention, promote training and education in advanced materials, and position these materials as fundamental enablers to address Europe’s social and environmental challenges.

Through its participation in this high-impact initiative, CIDETEC reaffirms its commitment to innovation and sustainability, contributing to the development of advanced materials that will shape the future of European industry and society.

ilopetegui · November 29, 2024 ·

The system has been designed by the project to detect defects generated by corrosion in oil and gas installations.

The setup of a pipeline demonstrator designed by members of the CUIDETEC (Corrosion Under Insulation DETECtion and prediction in steel pipes) project consortium is ready and has been operating at CIDETEC Surface Engineering facilities for already 1 year. This Project aims to develop a procedure for the maintenance of oil and gas installations based in an automated system with hardware and software tools for the management of the pipelines and equipment integrity affected by Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI). The system has been designed to detect, localize, and quantify defects generated by corrosion.

The demonstrator is currently installed on the terrace of CIDETEC Surface Engineering building. Prior to the heat-insulation setup, artificial defects were generated on the pipes to simulate the CUI. This demonstrator undergoes thermal cycles, simulating the conditions of an operating pipeline in the oil and gas sector.

Detection tests of corrosion defects have been carried out by using Non-Destructive Techniques, including a pulsed current transducer and an electromagnetic acoustic transducer which, combined, allow to measure through the insulation, estimate the defects dimensions due to CUI and generate a mapping of the wall thickness over the detected areas. The defects have been successfully identified by the sensor coupled to a robot which allows it to move across the pipeline and is also able to rotate 360 degrees.

CUIDETEC is an international project whose participants are Innerspec Technologies UK, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Nuromedia GmbH, Robolan robotic engineering, Design Business & Verification Services (DBV), and CIDETEC Surface Engineering.

This Project is funded by the joint program Eurostars-3 with co-funding of CDTI, and the Research and Innovation Europe Horizon Framework Program of the European Union. Its execution period started in January of 2023 and will end in December of 2024.

A project progress meeting was hosted by CIDETEC Surface Engineering last October.

ilopetegui · November 19, 2024 ·

CIDETEC Surface Engineering will offer greater flexibility to develop sustainable materials.

CIDETEC Surface Engineering has incorporated innovative, fully automated Filament Winding and ATL (Automatic Tape Laying) equipment, supplied by Mikrosam, a global leader in composite manufacturing technologies. This advanced equipment will provide CIDETEC Surface Engineering with greater flexibility to develop sustainable materials, especially through its 3R technology (recyclable, repairable and reprocessable epoxy resins), from which currently active projects, both European (Cubic, Genex) and regional (EcoH2Mov, Hi-Mugi), will begin to benefit.

“This equipment will allow us to take our developments to the next level, contributing to the use of more sustainable composite materials in the Energy, Aerospace and Automotive sectors,” says Dr. Eva García-Lecina, Deputy Director of CIDETEC Surface Engineering.

This new equipment incorporates specialized software that allows both wet and dry winding (towpreg), in addition to the precise placement of unidirectional prepregs tapes. This equipment allows CIDETEC Surface Engineering to strengthen its leadership in advanced materials technologies.

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