WHERE SCIENCE COMES TO LIFE

A startup “born” in BIU’s Department of Chemistry offers clean and efficient solutions for energy production and storage without polluting emissions

A new green-tech startup, Refhuel, will develop reversible fuel cell technology. The new company is the result of a partnership between BIRAD, Bar-Ilan Research & Development Company, and Refhuel Limited, a subsidiary of Decama Capital, an Israeli investment company. The technology, which is already in development, enables energy storage through reversible fuel cells. The technology was developed under the leadership of Prof. Lior Elbaz, of Bar-Ilan’s Department of Chemistry.

Fuel cells – a cheap and efficient alternative to batteries – are developed around the world as part of the effort to find clean and efficient solutions for energy production and storage without polluting emissions. Hydrogen-based reversible fuel cells, as developed by Prof. Elbaz, are among the most innovative technologies in this field.

Prof Elbaz, co-founder of Refhuel and head of the Israel Fuel Cells Consortium operating within Bar-Ilan’s Department of Chemistry, said: “I am really excited to have reached this point. We have passed the proof-of-concept stage, and, in time, the technology has the potential to revolutionize energy storage and production. The world is looking for affordable, sustainable energy and this technology promises to help deliver this.”

Nate Lorenzi, co-founder of Refhuel and CEO of Decama Capital, said: “We are delighted to come together with Bar-Ilan University to launch Refhuel. Prof. Elbaz is a world leading figure, and his research will have a transformational impact. Energy supply and climate change are challenges facing every nation.  As we move toward renewables, we face the problem of energy storage. The technology we are developing at Refhuel has the potential to be the solution to this. This is a landmark event for Decama Capital, and we look ahead to great success with Refhuel.”