Hydronium is a deep-tech materials company advancing a deceptively simple idea: the future of clean hydrogen starts with better catalysts.
Founded by materials scientist and UC Irvine PhD researcher Kirill Kurdin, Hydronium develops next-generation nanomaterials that dramatically reduce the need for costly precious metals in hydrogen production and utilization. These bi-functional catalysts work in both fuel cells (for clean mobility) and electrolyzers (for green hydrogen generation), offering high durability, increased performance, and lower costs.
The timing is critical. As public and private investment in hydrogen infrastructure grows, the demand for scalable, affordable, and reliable technology continues to rise. Hydronium addresses one of the sector’s most persistent cost and performance barriers at the atomic level.
What makes its approach unique is flexibility. Whether powering zero-emission fleets, enriching drinking water, or storing excess solar energy through reversible fuel cells, Hydronium’s catalyst technology opens up multiple high-value verticals.
As Kurdin explains, “Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the visible universe. But making it viable as an everyday clean energy solution means redesigning the parts no one sees.”
Currently in its pre-seed stage, Hydronium is focused on scaling lab production from grams to kilograms, with early traction in both mobility and water enrichment markets. The team is working closely with the ARCHES alliance, university labs, and early commercial collaborators while refining their business model through RevHub’s CABI program.
Hydronium’s primary product is a nanoscale powdered catalyst designed to reduce dependence on expensive precious metals like platinum while maintaining high durability and performance. This dual-use material functions in both hydrogen production and utilization systems, addressing one of the most persistent cost challenges in the hydrogen sector.
In a market still dominated by platinum-intensive solutions, Hydronium’s chemistry offers a more scalable and affordable alternative, positioning the company as a strategic supplier for fuel cell OEMs, electrolyzer manufacturers, and emerging hydrogen use cases across mobility, industrial energy, and consumer health.
Its roadmap includes licensing, B2B sales to hydrogen fuel cell OEMs, and eventually producing ready-to-integrate catalyst plates and engines.
Hydronium’s vision is bold, but grounded: to create a new standard for clean hydrogen performance—one that reduces costs, unlocks new applications, and supports the transition to a truly regenerative energy economy.
5 Ways Hydronium Delivers Value:
- Cuts precious metal usage, lowering cost barriers for clean hydrogen
- Enables higher durability and efficiency in both fuel cells and electrolyzers
- Supports multiple markets: mobility, energy storage, water enrichment
- Offers scalable tech with global market relevance
Positioned at the intersection of materials science and climate infrastructure
