Faraday lab


Innovate your electrolyser component(s) at the Faraday Lab

A lack of clear insight into the real-world performance and reliability of electrolyser components can slow down innovation and implementation. We help start-ups, SMEs, industrial partners and RTOs test and validate their electrolyser components, while supporting further development through R&D. This takes place at TNO’s Faraday Lab.

TNO’s Faraday Lab is one of Europe’s leading research facilities for hydrogen electrolysers, offering extensive experimental infrastructure for the evaluation of electrolyser components and cells.

Our laboratory combines single-cell and parallel PEM test setups, alkaline and AEM platforms, and advanced SOE facilities capable of testing the largest cells currently available, including under high-pressure conditions. This allows us to place individual results within a broader technological and performance context.

What we analyse in our standard R&D assessments

Our standard R&D assessment establishes a performance baseline and identifies initial indications of limitations, safety issues or degradation through in-situ characterisation and pressure testing.

When the standard R&D assessment reveals specific questions or bottlenecks, we offer advanced analytical techniques, including ex-situ testing, to investigate the underlying mechanisms in greater detail.

What you provide

  • You have an electrolyser component or coating that you want to test, measure in situ, or validate under realistic operating conditions.
  • This may be for independent validation or for a specific application.

What you receive

  • You receive raw experimental data and clear graphical outputs, together with an initial assessment of your component’s performance and behaviour.
  • Our experts place your results into context and provide an initial independent evaluation based on our expertise and broad overview of the electrolyser field, identifying potential bottlenecks and limitations in performance or behaviour.

PEM R&D Assessments

PEM 1-week performance assesment

Initial evaluation of performance and a first indication of stability. Suitable for screening new materials, validating design modifications, and identifying relevant performance and degradation trends.

Standard test scope (approximately 1 week)

  • Conditioning
  • Beginning-of-test characterisation (polarisation curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS))
  • Multi-day durability test at constant temperature and a defined operating condition
  • End-of-test characterisation

This assessment is designed as an initial durability test and provides a solid foundation for further investigation.

Starting from: €9.000 *

* starting from price is calculated with a Dutch SMEs rate.

PEM 4-week performance assesment

Simulation of longer-term operational use to enable a more detailed assessment of lifetime behaviour, performance stability and degradation trends. Suitable for material evaluation and supporting R&D decisions towards industrial application.

Standard test scope approximately 4 weeks

    • Conditioning
    • Beginning-of-test characterisation: polarisation curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
    • Multi-week durability test at constant temperature and a defined operating condition
    • Interim characterisation at fixed intervals
    • End-of-test characterisation

This assessment provides deeper insight into durability and degradation behaviour compared with short-term testing and forms a strong basis for extended lifetime analysis.

Starting from: €24.000 *

* starting from price is calculated with a Dutch SMEs rate.

Complementary assessments

Complementary assesments

These analyses can be extended with non-standard testing and analysis methods tailored to specific research questions or operating conditions. These extensions are defined and scoped separately.

  • High-pressure gas crossover analysis
  • Advanced crossover analysis
  • Pinhole testing
  • Pressure and/or pressure cycling tests
  • Temperature cycling
  • Effluent water collection and analysis
  • Voltage probe breakdown analysis (under development)
  • Short stack testing

Based on this assessment, we offer the possibility to proceed with an in-depth analysis focused on result interpretation, underlying mechanisms, and targeted next steps for further optimisation and scale-up.

In-depth Analysis

In-depth analysis includes ex-situ characterisation and specialised testing methods to obtain a thorough understanding of component and material behaviour.

Ex-situ characterisation

Post-test analysis of materials and components to investigate structural, compositional or chemical changes, including:

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
  • Water sampling and chemical analysis

Specialised testing methods

  • High-pressure gas crossover analysis
  • Advanced crossover analysis
  • Pinhole testing
  • Pressure and/or pressure cycling tests
  • Temperature cycling
  • Effluent water collection and analysis
  • Voltage probe breakdown analysis (under development)
  • Short stack testing