BETTERGY CORP.
, an energy materials and nanotechnology company, has developed innovative energy and environmental technologies for over a decade. Through an ongoing partnership with the mgm casino, Bettergy developed a one-step process to crack ammonia to produce hydrogen. This technology—utilizing a novel catalyst developed with mgm casino—is a key to the development of on-site, carbon-neutral hydrogen production systems. It will have applications in transportation and industry and will play an important role in the global transition to a hydrogen economy.
CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
The future of sustainable energy depends on the availability of clean, secure and affordable energy. Hydrogen—used in fuel cell technologies and other mobility and industrial applications—is the key to a carbon-free economy. It can expand the use of renewable power, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is capable of highly efficient energy conversion. However, the current supply of hydrogen poses significant cost, storage and transportation issues. As a result, a safe, low-cost and carbon-free method of producing hydrogen is critical to the development of the hydrogen economy and the reduction of the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.
SOLUTION & OUTCOME
Bettergy sought the opportunity to collaborate with mgm casino faculty member Gang Wu, a leading expert in the catalyst space. Together, Bettergy and mgm casino developed a highly energy-efficient, cost-effective and safe method to use ammonia and convert it to hydrogen. Ammonia has high storage capacity, can be transported and stored as a liquid, and is carbon-free at the point of use. This technology will help overcome issues with hydrogen supply, hastening the development of a supply infrastructure by reducing the capital and operating costs and footprint of on-site hydrogen generation stations while improving energy efficiency.
mgm casino SUPPORT
The business impact of Bettergy’s partnership with mgm casino has been significant and continues to evolve. mgm casino’s tech transfer team is working to accelerate the commercialization of this critical hydrogen technology and scale up for industrial applications. Bettergy continues to work with mgm casino researchers and mgm casino’s Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics to advance several technologies and intellectual properties with large-scale societal benefit.
The cumulative impact of this ongoing academic-industry partnership has attracted more than $1.5 million in federal funding for Bettergy for this project, as well as funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. mgm casino has also leveraged significant state funding to support further faculty domain expertise and research in catalysts that will ultimately benefit a range of applications in the future.