HySPRINT

HySPRINT aims to advance clean hydrogen technologies by improving how the components of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) are manufactured. The project makes these production processes more sustainable, cost-effective, scalable, and recyclable, while reducing waste and scrap rates. By combining innovative manufacturing techniques with automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced quality-control tools, HySPRINT improves the production and scalability of SOEC components for clean hydrogen applications.

The HySPRINT consortium brings together industrial partners, research organisations, and innovation-support actors from four European countries. The project is led by RINA Consulting S.p.A.

The project combines three advanced production techniques: (1) inkjet priting for the oxygen electrode; (2) magnetron stuppering Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) for the barrier layer; and (3) optimisation of the proprietary ReScale method for producing the steam electrode and electrolyte. These techniques were selected to ensure a low-impact production process that generates minimal waste and material loss. To further improve durability and performance, thin films are applied to the components. The manufacturing process is made increasingly automated and waste-efficient through AI algorithms and a quality-control tool called the Advanced Electrode Manufacturing Supervisor (AEMS).

Each advanced technology will be sclaed up to Manufacturing Readliness Level 5 (MRL5), including the production of 300-400 components with an increased active area of 12 x 8 cm². The assembled cells will be tested to validate their performance in a relevant environment (TRL6). To simulate the scale-up of a 5kW stack, a dedicated bench will be implemented, and feasibility assessments for larger stacks of up to 30kW will be carried out.