Black powder catalyst (copper-platinum hybrid)

Research and development

Traditional catalyst used in hydrogen fuel cells that withstands harsh vehicle operating conditions but is expensive due to platinum's scarcity.

Gatalo's first innovation: a black powder catalyst that replaces approximately half the platinum with cheaper copper, achieving two times lower cost and three to four times higher efficiency than existing catalysts.

Gatalo's second innovation utilizing nanotechnology to achieve approximately a hundredfold increase in production efficiency compared to conventional laboratory methods.

Slovenia

Research project by Matija Gatalo at Slovenia's National Institute of Chemistry to develop catalysts that reduce platinum requirements in hydrogen fuel cells, making hydrogen fuel more affordable and commercially viable.