Automated KPFM Empowers Photoelectrode R&D with Millisecond Charge Mapping for Solar Fuels

A German-American research team has just pulled off a major leap forward in the way we study materials for solar-driven hydrogen production. They’ve come up with the first fully automated, high-speed voltage mapping method for active photoelectrodes—and it’s a game changer. Using a souped-up version of Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM), this technique captures voltage shifts and charge movement in real time, right down to the pixel. That kind of detail was nearly impossible to get before, especially on materials like titanium dioxide.

A leap forward in clean energy research

This innovative method is led by Professor Francesca M. Toma at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working in collaboration with Germany’s Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon and other partners. It could seriously speed up progress when it comes to the efficiency of photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells—a critical part of making green hydrogen and other solar fuels viable at scale.

Beyond hydrogen: Big potential for clean tech

What’s really exciting is that this isn’t just about PECs. Because the technique can track how charges move without pausing the device operation—and it’s fully automated—it’s set to make waves across a bunch of tech sectors. Think fuel cell technology, batteries, corrosion science—you name it. Being able to more quickly test materials and diagnose issues in working devices could be a big win for all kinds of sustainable energy technologies.

All in all, it’s another strong step toward making zero-emission technology the new normal—backed by smart science and meaningful international collaboration.