H2BRIDGE - Advancing Solar Hydrogen Production through Photocatalytic Printed Panels
H2BRIDGE is an Interreg Aurora-funded research and innovation project carried out in collaboration between the University of Oulu and Luleå University of Technology from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028. The project develops scalable photocatalytic panels for producing emission-free solar hydrogen to meet industrial energy needs and provide solutions for off-grid areas in northern Finland and Sweden.
About the project
Northern Finland and Sweden are major industrial regions and significant sources of carbon dioxide emissions. H2BRIDGE addresses this challenge by developing an innovative and scalable panel reactor system that uses printed photocatalytic panels to generate solar hydrogen through sunlight-driven water splitting.
The technology enables a cost-effective and low-emission energy solution tailored to Arctic and sub-Arctic conditions. By supporting industrial decarbonisation, the project also strengthens regional competitiveness and innovation capacity.
The project primarily targets small and medium-sized enterprises in the renewable energy and hydrogen sectors. Close cooperation with municipalities, local stakeholders and Sámi communities ensures that accessibility, environmental protection and social acceptance are integrated into the planning process.
H2BRIDGE contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure, climate action, and partnerships for the goals. The project aligns with the EU carbon neutrality targets, the European Green Deal and the EU Hydrogen Strategy.
In addition to technological development, the project promotes regional growth, skills development and long-term cross-border collaboration between industry, academia and communities across the Nordic and Arctic regions.
Project implementation
The project is divided into three work packages.
In the first work package, led by Luleå University of Technology, materials with optimised structural and optical properties for advanced printing technologies are developed. These materials combine high photocatalytic activity for solar water splitting with ink compatibility for scalable production of photocatalytic sheets. Green chemistry synthesis improves light absorption, active surface density and charge carrier dynamics. Performance is further enhanced through doping and composite formation, aiming to achieve a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency exceeding five percent. Comprehensive microscopy and spectroscopy analyses are conducted to evaluate structural, optical and photocatalytic properties.
The second work package, led by the OPEM unit at the University of Oulu, focuses on optimising the printing properties of the developed materials, including rheology, printability and pre- and post-processing steps. The goal is to ensure uniform deposition and reliable photocatalytic performance under reactor conditions. The outcome is fully optimised photocatalytic plates ready for integration into the panel reactor.
The third work package involves the development and testing of a modular panel reactor equipped with replaceable printed photocatalytic plates for hydrogen production using solar energy. The work advances the current TRL 3 to 4 design towards a scalable reactor concept suitable for industrial application. Reactor geometry, light absorption and flow dynamics are optimised through simulation to maximise hydrogen output. During the project, a prototype reactor will be manufactured and assembled using environmentally sustainable materials.
Project facts
Project period
01.09.2025 - 31.08.2028
Total budget
1 156 587 euros
Project coordinator
University of Oulu
Funder
Interreg Aurora
Cordinator
- Filipp Temerov
Project leader
Management group
- Prof. Marko Huttula
NANOMO Research Unit
Marko.Huttula@oulu.fi - Dr. Samuli Urpelainen
NANOMO Research Unit
Samuli.Urpelainen@oulu.fi - Irja Ruokamo
Irja.Ruokamo@oulu.fi - Prof. Isabella Concina
Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology
Isabella.Concina@ltu.se - Prof. Alberto Vomiero
Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology
Alberto.Vomiero@ltu.se - Sara Vanhanen
Sara.Vanhanen@oulu.fi - Prof. Tapio Fabritius
OPEM Research Unit
Tapio.Fabritius@oulu.fi - Dr. Filipp Temerov
NANOMO Research Unit
Filipp.Temerov@oulu.fi
Researchers
- Dr. Esa Hannila
OPEM Research Unit
Esa.Hannila@oulu.fi - Dr. Rafal Sliz
OPEM Research Unit
Rafal.Sliz@oulu.fi - Dr. Velma Kimbi Yaah
NANOMO Research Unit
Velma.KimbiYaah@oulu.fi - Dr. Janne Lauri
OPEM Research Unit
Janne.Lauri@oulu.fi
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