Hydrogen Materials—Advanced Research Consortium
Stored: Hydrogen Materials—Advanced Research Consortium
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Hydrogen Materials—Advanced Research Consortium (HyMARC) is a DOE-led consortium of national laboratories focused on overcoming scientific barriers to solid-state and liquid hydrogen storage, aiming to develop materials-based systems that outperform traditional 700-bar pressurized gas and liquid hydrogen storage for transportation and stationary uses. Established in 2015 under the Energy Materials Network, HyMARC integrates synthesis, characterization, and computational modeling to support the H2@Scale initiative, addressing thermodynamic and kinetic challenges in hydrogen storage materials.
Mission
HyMARC’s mission is to accelerate the discovery and optimization of hydrogen storage materials—such as sorbents, metal hydrides, and carriers—by leveraging the expertise of five core national labs and advanced tools to meet DOE’s Energy Earthshots goals of clean, affordable hydrogen by 2031. It employs a co-design strategy, coupling systems modeling and techno-economic analysis with materials development to address undefined technical targets, particularly for stationary applications, enhancing energy security and climate objectives.
Parent organization
HyMARC operates under the Department of Energy, specifically the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which provides funding and strategic direction. The Department of Energy is the top organization, aligning HyMARC with national hydrogen and clean energy priorities.
Legislation
HyMARC was not created by specific legislation but was established in November 2015 as part of DOE’s Energy Materials Network initiative, funded through a multi-year investment to advance clean energy materials research.
Partners
HyMARC’s core partners include:
Number of employees
HyMARC does not have a dedicated employee count; it leverages staff from its seven member labs, totaling thousands, with specific contributors varying by project and task.
Organization structure
HyMARC is structured around collaborative teams:
- Materials Discovery Team explores new storage compounds.
- Characterization Team uses advanced tools like X-ray probes.
- Modeling Team develops computational simulations.
Leader
HyMARC is led by three Co-Directors (Sandia, Berkeley Lab, and NREL) overseeing its scientific and operational efforts.
Divisions
The efforts include:
- Synthesis and Optimization for new materials.
- Advanced Characterization for material analysis.
- Computational Modeling for predictive design.
List of programs
Key HyMARC initiatives include:
- Hydrogen Storage Materials Development
- Techno-Economic Analysis for Storage Systems
- Advanced Characterization Capabilities
Last total enacted budget
HyMARC’s initial funding was part of a $40 million DOE investment across the Energy Materials Network from 2015-2020, with ongoing support through HFTO budgets, though specific annual allocations are not itemized.
Staff
Staffing is drawn from the seven labs, including hydrogen scientists, computational modelers, and engineers, with no standalone headcount; key contributors are spread across Sandia, Berkeley, and NREL.
Funding
HyMARC’s funding began with a $40 million DOE commitment in 2015 for the Energy Materials Network, supplemented by annual HFTO appropriations (e.g., $150M+ in FY 2024 for hydrogen programs), supporting its multi-year research arc.
Services provided
HyMARC provides foundational research into hydrogen storage materials, advanced characterization using DOE facilities, and computational models, aiding industry and academia in developing scalable, cost-effective hydrogen storage solutions.
Regulations overseen
HyMARC does not oversee regulations but supports DOE’s hydrogen storage targets and compliance with energy policy frameworks.
Headquarters address
1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA (Berkeley Lab, co-lead site)
History
HyMARC was launched in November 2015 as part of DOE’s Energy Materials Network, responding to the need for advanced hydrogen storage beyond physical methods, with initial focus on vehicular applications. It has since expanded scope under H2@Scale and Energy Earthshots, evolving through partnerships and publications like its 2021 Nature Energy study on fuel cell durability.