We propose a radical breakthrough by developing economically viable solar fuel production technology, exploiting the surfactant self-assembly & proton transport properties of soap films. Producing renewable solar fuel by Artificial Photosynthesis (AP) is globally recognized as a promising solution to modern energy & environmental crisis with decisive social impacts, but there are critical roadblocks in technology development. SoFiA aims to initiate & consolidate a baseline of feasibility for soap film based AP technology and its future uses by establishing the essential proofs-of principle & foundational scientific underpinnings. We propose the concept of an economic artificial photosynthetic membrane in form of soap film with photo-catalytic functional surfaces, formed at the junction between dis-symmetric soap bubble pairs. Our technology is made scalable by the design concept of a dynamic stream of regenerative soap bubbles capable of handling large volumes of gas, continuously flowing through a light exposed conduit. SoFiA bridges three mutually exclusive disciplines of surfactant science, renewable energy and fundamental science of water at nanoscale, supported by micro-systems engineering, and by actively engaging artists who are working with large soap film installations. The high risk is countered by engaging pioneering scientists and globally leading young researchers in an interdisciplinary research plan. An External Advisory Board composed of program managers from large industry and EU policy experts will guide the research deliverable towards commercial exploitation. Our long-term vision is to decisively alter Europe’s position in the world economic map as the leading green energy producer. Developed technology will be jointly exploited by European energy and detergent industries, kick-starting new ventures & production facilities. Major environmental impact is expected as SoFiA is devoted to transform the primary greenhouse gas (CO2) into fuel.

The Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyser (AEMEL) demonstrates potential advantages compared with the more established Alkaline Electrolyser and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyser in easing the cell design, and lowering capital and operating expenditures. Nevertheless, AEMEL faces challenges due to its poor durability and low efficiency, which demands further research and innovation in Membrane-Electrode-Assembly (MEA) optimisation and cell design. Furthermore, coupling the AEMEL with industry requires another technological challenge in producing direct pressurised hydrogen to the end user. Taking the aforementioned challenges into consideration, ENDURION’s main objective is to develop an efficient, durable, low-cost pressurised AEMEL through the synergistic approach of MEA materials development and novel cell design employing exclusively earth-abundant materials and up-scalable processing. Learning from the previous progress of main EU projects on AEMEL, ENDURION addresses the AEMEL challenges through integrating recent advances in materials science, modern characterisations and processing tools, data-driven optimisation through machine learning, internal and external AEMEL components designed for electrochemical compression. Systematic works on novel materials development of sustainable porous transport layer, CRM-free catalysts, ionic liquid co-catalysts and environmentally benign bioresource membrane, along with novel up-scalable AEMEL cell and stack design will be the main tasks. ENDURION is expected to demonstrate an innovative pressurised AEMEL with a 30 % improved efficiency and 30 % more durable, at H2 production cost reaches EUR 450 /kg H2 It is also projected that ENDURION’s outcomes in the long run will contribute to an increased market share of AEMEL for the production of green hydrogen, reduced global carbon emission, a reduction of the European dependency on critical raw materials.

PROGENY targets a foundational and sustainable innovation, exploiting unique properties of designer soap films as advanced functional materials, to be used in fundamentally new type of biomimetic devices and sensors categorized as Proto-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (POEMS). A common soap film is uniquely characterized by a proton conducting, flexible, semipermeable, quasi 2-D aqueous phase, which doubles as a smooth (3.2Å roughness) and low defect substrate for self-assembled surfactant monolayers on its opposite surfaces. Synthetic surfactants are aliphatic oligomer tails modified with hydrophilic head groups, and have been traditionally designed for use as detergents or colloidal stabilizers. The scope of modifying 1D molecular wires and 2D conjugated polymers, to create novel surfactants, is wide open. These electronic molecules will be designed to significantly reduce surface tension in aqueous solution, self-assemble at water-gas interfaces, and mechanically stabilize a new class of electronic soap films, allowing radical innovations in POEMS. PROGENY will consolidate an interdisciplinary team of pioneering European experts, and its seminal set of deliverables will be foundational to consequent R&D activities in POEMS. As a final demonstrator (TRL 3-4), we will deliver - Gated electron-proton hybrid transistors that can host living cells, as foundational precursors to bionic device prototypes targeted in Phase II. Within the project, new electronic surfactant molecules will be synthesized, characterized and modelled; new categories of electronic soap films will be characterized and tested; new devices will be designed and fabricated. In an environmentally responsible research effort, all new materials will be tested for eco-toxicological impact. Sustainability of POEMS technology and its socio-economic impact will be indicated by a prospective (ex-ante) life cycle assessment (LCA). PROGENY will also deliver a white paper and a basic business plan.