Born from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute research led by Dr. Chulsung Bae, Orion Polymer makes self-supporting anion exchange membranes for hydrogen and other clean-energy systems. Its CMX membrane is produced in formats ranging from laboratory sheets to 25-meter rolls, building on polymer chemistry that an independent National Renewable Energy Laboratory study found retained performance under 80°C alkaline testing for 1,000 hours. The Saratoga Springs company combines academic materials research with polymer scale-up and membrane manufacturing for commercial energy developers.
Ecolectro, IncBorn from materials research at the University of Puerto Rico and Cornell University, Ecolectro develops membrane technology and electrolyzer systems for lower-cost green hydrogen production. Ithaca-based cofounders Gabriel Rodríguez-Calero and Kristina Hugar built the company around new polymer electrolyte materials designed to address the cost and durability challenges of water electrolysis. Its alkaline exchange materials are intended as a drop-in alternative for PEM electrolyzer stacks and are already in the marketplace.ITHACA, NY
Ion Power, IncFounded in 1999 by Stephen Grot, Ion Power, Inc. develops, manufactures, and distributes Nafion™-based materials for electrochemical applications, including fuel-cell membrane electrode assemblies and water-electrolysis membranes. The Tyrone company is also Chemours’ sole authorized distributor of Nafion™ materials and supports customers through application-focused research, custom membrane work, and recycled Nafion™ initiatives. Its history is closely tied to Nafion’s origins: Grot’s father, Dr. Walther Grot, spent nearly four decades at DuPont and is widely credited with finding applications for the polymer.326199TYRONE, PA
Evolve Hydrogen, IncFounded by two Long Island innovators who began experimenting in their garages, Evolve Hydrogen develops polymer-based electrolyzers that produce green hydrogen directly from seawater and other water sources. Its Evolve™ design avoids precious metals and desalination while using injection molding to support faster, simpler manufacturing. In 2022, the Stony Brook company won Phase One of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Shot H-Prize, one of only 10 winners and the sole company from the Northeast.EAST NORTHPORT, NY
Bettergy CorpFounded in 2008, Bettergy Corp. develops and commercializes energy and environmental technologies built around nanopore-engineered membranes. The company began as an energy-storage technology venture studying membrane advances and now applies that expertise to green hydrogen from ammonia, gas separation, water purification, and electrochemical energy systems. Its work has been supported by federal agencies including ARPA-E, the Department of Energy, NASA, and the U.S. Navy, alongside university collaborations with institutions such as the University at Buffalo and Virginia Tech.PEEKSKILL, NY