Research at UNB (University of Brasília) develops innovative technology that could make green hydrogen more viable in Brazil, reducing costs and expanding the use of clean fuel in the energy transition.
Transforming water into sustainable energy still seems like something far removed from everyday life, but a project developed in UNB This aims to bring this reality closer to Brazil. Researchers at the Physics Institute of the University of Brasília are working on a innovative technology turned to green hydrogen production, an energy alternative considered strategic for the global energy transition.
According to a publication by the Foundation for Research Support of the Federal District (FAPDF) on February 26, the objective is to make this clean fuel more accessible through cost reduction and increased efficiency in production processes.
The initiative is coordinated by Professor Jorlandio F. Felix, PhD in Physics, CNPq productivity fellow, and associate professor at the university. The project received investment from… R $ 179 thousand through the Spontaneous Demand notice out of 2022 from the Foundation for Research Support of the Federal District (FAPDF), within the Basic Research Program. The resources allowed for the structuring of the research chain, including the adaptation of equipment, the acquisition of high-purity materials, and the implementation of specialized instrumentation.
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Beyond the scientific results, the project contributes to the training of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, strengthening the regional technological and scientific infrastructure. The expectation is that this work can help consolidate the Federal District as an emerging hub in nanotechnology and hydrogen.
In this context, the advancement of UNB It reinforces the role of national scientific research in the search for sustainable energy solutions, especially in the development of… green hydrogen as a source of energy with low environmental impact.
Research at UNB brings green hydrogen closer to large-scale production.
O green hydrogen It is considered one of the main energy vectors for reducing carbon emissions on a global scale. It can replace fossil fuels in sectors where direct electrification still faces technical difficulties, such as heavy transport and industrial processes that require high temperatures.
When produced by water electrolysis using renewable energy, hydrogen does not generate carbon emissions during the production process. Therefore, it is classified as a clean fuelcapable of contributing to the decarbonization of the economy.
In practice, hydrogen can be used as an energy source for buses, trucks, and trains, generating only water vapor as a byproduct. It can also be applied in heavy industry, such as in steel production, and can serve as a means of storing energy from solar and wind sources.
Despite the potential, the cost of production remains one of the main obstacles to expansion. green hydrogenIt is precisely at this point that the research of UNB The goal is to move forward by creating technological alternatives that can reduce costs and increase the viability of sustainable fuel.
Innovative technology from UNB replaces expensive materials in the production of clean fuel.
One of the biggest challenges in producing green hydrogen The key lies in the use of catalysts that accelerate the chemical reaction necessary to break down water molecules. Without these materials, the electrolysis process becomes slow and energy inefficient.
Today, platinum is considered the most efficient catalyst for this application. However, it is a rare and expensive metal, which significantly increases the cost of the process. clean fuelThe research of UNB bet on a innovative technology based on two-dimensional materials capable of replacing platinum. These materials are much more abundant and cheaper, which could make hydrogen production more economically viable.
Among the compounds studied are the so-called transition metal dichalcogenides, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂). MoS₂, for example, has been used for decades as an industrial lubricant due to its layered structure that reduces friction between metal surfaces.
In scientific research, these materials are applied at the nanoscale to accelerate chemical reactions and improve energy efficiency. By replacing scarce materials with abundant components, the innovative technology can reduce the final cost of clean fuel and facilitate its widespread adoption. According to Professor Jorlandio F. Felix, replacing expensive materials can allow for the installation of clean energy systems on an industrial scale, reducing the final price of the energy produced.
Thin films developed at UNB increase the efficiency of green hydrogen.
The core of the research involves the production of thin films based on two-dimensional materials bonded by Van der Waals forces. These films are extremely thin layers applied to specific surfaces.
Even though they are thousands of times thinner than a human hair, these materials can conduct electricity and accelerate chemical reactions with great efficiency. This characteristic is fundamental for improving the production of green hydrogen.
Similar thin films are already part of everyday technology. They are present in touchscreens, special mirrors, and some types of solar panels. In the Brazilian project, these structures are used as advanced catalysts.
The use of these materials represents an important advance for national energy research. By improving the performance of catalysts, the UNB The goal is to make the electrolysis process more efficient and economically competitive. This advancement can directly contribute to the expansion of… clean fuel in the country, especially in sectors with high energy consumption.
Automation drives innovative technology for green hydrogen.
Another distinctive feature of the project is the development of a technique known as Automated Mechanical Exfoliation (AME). This method consists of an automated system capable of depositing two-dimensional materials onto surfaces with great precision.
The equipment functions as a kind of high-precision instrument, guided by motors that control movement in different directions and the pressure applied during the process.
The materials used initially appear as a common dark powder, but they have a structure of extremely thin layers held together by weak forces. When pressed against a surface, these layers detach and form uniform thin films.
This standardization is essential for industrial applications, as it ensures consistent quality in the production of energy devices. Automation can also reduce manufacturing costs and facilitate the replication of the process on a larger scale. Therefore, the technique developed at the university can accelerate the transformation of… green hydrogen on a clean fuel competitive in the energy market.
Scientific and industrial impacts of clean fuel developed by UNB.
In addition to technological advancements, the project generates important structural impacts for regional scientific development. The funding allowed for the adaptation of laboratories, the acquisition of specialized materials, and the expansion of research capacity.
This initiative strengthens the training of specialized professionals and contributes to the consolidation of the Federal District as an emerging center in nanotechnology applied to energy.
According to the CEO of FAPDF, Leonardo Reisman, supporting this type of research means investing in technological sovereignty and real solutions to the country’s energy challenges. Projects that combine advanced science, sustainability, and industrial potential are considered strategic for the new clean energy economy.
The research could also stimulate the creation of new industrial sectors focused on the production of high-performance energy devices. If the innovative technology By moving towards commercial applications, Brazil could expand its participation in the global sustainable energy market.
A concrete step towards sustainable energy in Brazil.
The advances achieved by UNB They show that the development of green hydrogen It is ceasing to be merely a future prospect and becoming a concrete possibility. The creation of a innovative technology Based on more abundant materials, it can reduce costs and expand production of this. clean fuel.
In addition to contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions, the research strengthens Brazil’s technological capacity and encourages the training of highly qualified professionals.
the investment of R $ 179 thousand accomplished in 2022 This demonstrates how relatively modest resources can generate significant scientific impacts when directed towards strategic research.
If the results are confirmed in future stages of technological development, the project could accelerate Brazil’s energy transition and expand the use of renewable sources.
In this scenario, the work developed by UNB It reinforces the role of national science in the search for sustainable energy solutions and shows that the green hydrogen It could become one of the main pillars of the low-carbon energy system in the coming decades.
