In this video, Thomas Korn, CEO and Co-Founder of water stuff & sun describes the current challenges of hydrogen storage and supply and presents how our H2 Battery, its functionality, performance, and wide range of applications can contribute to solving the problem. The video was recorded during a stage appearance at Hyvolution 2026.

With the H2 Battery, we present an innovative, highly efficient hydrogen storage solution that enables fundamentally new storage and distribution concepts. With our trade fair demonstrator, we are showcasing a system with fully functional components (demonstrated at 300 bar, scalable up to 1,000 bar) and highlighting the considerable potential of this storage technology.

Core of the system are the spherical Type IV high-pressure vessels (SFEERs) made of a polymer liner and carbon-fiber overwrap, specifically designed for maximum packing density within the overall system layout. The specially developed geometry of the form-optimized aluminum housing enables an integration of the SFEERs for high volumetric storage efficiency and good structural stability. The system is further complemented by revolutionary microvalves that integrate all essential storage system functions—such as pressure reduction, inlet and outlet control, and safety features—within a 4 × 4 mm silicon chip. In addition, the exhibit demonstrates a novel high- and low-pressure gas distribution system as well as a simple quick-coupling interface for the modular interconnection of storage elements. The uniqueness of the H2 Battery is obvious:

✓ Low weight and size of the H2 battery – it allows for storing high energy content per system weight and volume, H2 batterie’s can even be carried and swapped by hand

✓ Low costs linked to reduced bill of materials and few high-pressure parts compared to cylindric tanks

✓Flexible dimensions of our H2 battery as it can be adapted to required capacity and handling needs

✓Higher safety resulting from high-pressure redundancy and low-pressure tank handling with limited hydrogen in battery casing (SFEERS just supply more H2 in case if hydrogen is being consumed)

✓Direct adherence to sustainability and climate protection requirements, including ESG compliance

The IMVS is a multifunctional silicon microchip in a 4 x 4 x 2.5 mm format that replicates a complete H2 valve and control system in chip size redefining handling and safety. The chip controls hydrogen flow and pressure passively on a microscale, i.e. purely via pressure differences in 5 stages, from up to 1,000 bar to around 10 bar – without a battery, without communication, without electrical signals.

1. In the inlet branch, a high-pressure valve operates unidirectionally and is normally open, closing within defined ranges as soon as the internal pressure exceeds the external pressure.

2. In the outlet branch with check valve and bursting disc, a cascade of several control stages reduces the pressure from up to 1,000 bar to the low-pressure range (approx. 10 bar) – and only when a consumer draws gas.

3. If the external pressure falls below the set activation pressure, the microvalves close immediately. This keeps the hydrogen encapsulated instead of allowing it to escape uncontrollably – safety logic built directly into the chip.

The extremely small cross-sections make it possible to control 1,000 bar – and the safety functions are not even “built in,” but multiplied thousands of times over, because each small spherical high-pressure container carries its own IMVS chip. This energy fragmentation, i.e., the distribution of the hydrogen supply across many small, independent safety units instead of a single large risk point, ensures maximum safety for the H2 battery.

Our SFEERs are spherical Type IV high-pressure cells with a diameter of only about 11 cm.They store gaseous hydrogen safely and efficiently while withstanding extreme pressures of up to 1,000 bar. The form distributes pressure optimally and reduces component stress compared to cylinder geometries with lower stress levels. Material requirements are reduced without compromising safety.

Main elements of a SFEER are:

• A plastic liner containing the gas

• An aluminium connection for secure integration into the system

• A high-strength carbon fibre shell to take in compressive forces

Our system concept is based on safety: many small pressure cells instead of one large container. Our high-pressure SFEERs are connected to a low-pressure system (approx. 10 bar) which, under normal operating conditions, contains only a few grams of hydrogen. Only when hydrogen from the low-pressure range is consumed, hydrogen is replenished with the help of the microchips (#IMVS) integrated into each high-pressure SFEER. The MEMS-Chip controls the gas flow of each SFEER in a simultaneous way and therefore creates a swarm intelligence with that all different hydrogen storage tanks work together like one big tank. This means that safety functions multiply with each additional cell!

Cost-saving factors are obvious:

• High energy densities in the module: ~4,5 kWh/kg and ~1 kWh/L

• 50% less carbon fibre compared to 700 bar standard technology > less mass, less costs!

• Each cell operates independently, without electricity or communication