ELECTROLIFE participated in the 77th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE 2026), held in Sydney, Australia, from 6 to 11 September 2026.
During the conference, Anna T.S. Freiberg from the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (IET-2, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH – FZJ) presented research on hydrogen loss at the anode of PEM water electrolysis cells, highlighting an often-overlooked aspect of current electrolysis research.
Hydrogen crossover to the anode is a key performance indicator for low-temperature water electrolysis systems. However, hydrogen concentrations can only be measured in the anode exhaust stream. Under certain operating conditions, part of the crossover hydrogen may be consumed directly at the anode, making exhaust gas measurements increasingly difficult to interpret over the lifetime of an electrolyser. This presents a significant challenge for accurately assessing performance degradation and durability.
The presentation sparked engaging discussions with international experts across various low-temperature electrolysis technologies. These exchanges underscored the fact that many aspects of full-cell crosstalk remain insufficiently understood. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential for improving lifetime prediction and extending the operational durability of water electrolysis systems, which are key objectives of the ELECTROLIFE project.
The annual ISE meeting brings together researchers working across the entire electrochemical spectrum, from fundamental molecular-scale reactions to large-scale system integration. In particular, the symposia on Advances in Hydrogen Production and Utilization, Progress in Surface Modification and Corrosion Mitigation, and Scale-up of Electrochemical Systems provided valuable insights for advancing the research activities within ELECTROLIFE.
The event also offered an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and gain new perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing next-generation water electrolysis technologies.
