The Energy Department has announced the 2016 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase II Release 1 awards, including three projects focused on catalysis for fuel cell and hydrogen production as well as hydrogen contaminants detection. These projects are awarded through the Office of Basic Energy Sciences.

Award winners are:

• Southwest Sciences, Inc., of New Mexico, aims to develop a laser-based instrument for the detection of hydrogen contaminants at fuel stations to prevent fouling of vehicular fuel cells.
• PH Matter, LLC, of Ohio, will demonstrate low-cost stationary energy storage applications by improving the components of regenerative fuel cell systems.
• Proton OnSite, of Connecticut, will work toward commercializing the first alkaline membrane-based water electrolysis product through the use of high efficiency, non-noble metal electrocatalysts and other advanced, low cost materials.

Learn more about the Energy Department's broader efforts to develop affordable, efficient fuel cell and hydrogen technologies on EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cells page.