The University of Kansas (KU) and startup Avium are aiming to make clean hydrogen more affordable with the help of $5 million in funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE). Fifty-two projects across 24 states received funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. According to the DOE, “These projects will advance electrolysis technologies and improve manufacturing and recycling capabilities for clean hydrogen systems and components.”
KU and Avium will use their funding to develop new catalysts and technologies to improve the efficiency and reliability of green hydrogen production. The work is a continuation of a previous project which led to the birth of Avium in 2017. Kevin Leonard, professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at KU, member of KU’s Center for Environmental Beneficial Catalysis, and chief science officer of Avium, partnered with KU graduate student Joseph Barforoush, developed new catalysts that make green hydrogen production more efficient.
“People are interested in green hydrogen for traditional applications like those I mentioned, but also for emerging ones,” he said. “One example is sustainable aviation fuels. Green hydrogen will be critical in creating sustainable, petroleum-free fuels, specifically for aviation.”
According to the university, KU students and postdoctoral researchers will receive training as part of the work. Additionally, the funding will be used to support technical training and career-building opportunities for students at the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center in Lawrence, Kansas, and Urban Tec in Kansas City, Missouri.
“We’ll collaborate with Peaslee to provide technical training for students entering fields like electrical work and HVAC, ensuring they are familiar with the specialized skills required for green hydrogen processes, such as handling high-voltage lines or understanding the systems involved in hydrogen energy,” Leonard said. “We are also partnering with Urban Tec to launch the Avium Summer Experience, where students from Kansas City will visit KU to explore university life. They'll also tour Avium and Peaslee Tech to learn about the different paths available to them—whether through apprenticeships or startup environments.”