In this exclusive interview, Carolin Igel, a key researcher within the SEAL-HYDROGEN consortium, shares her insights into the critical challenge of material durability—the often-overlooked secret to making next-generation alkaline electrolysis viable for large-scale commercial deployment.
Carolin Igel is a dedicated PhD Student specializing in Electrocatalysis at the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen Nürnberg (HI ERN), a crucial partner in the SEAL-HYDROGEN project. Her academic journey, starting with corrosion studies and moving into the durability of materials for water electrolysis, has led her to a vital role in our consortium.
«The future of green hydrogen lies in improving the durability and cost effectiveness of electrolysis, but also in seeing it as part of a bigger puzzle» – Carolin Igel.
Within SEAL-HYDROGEN, Carolin brings a fundamental focus on material science and long-term durability. Her specific research directly tackles one of the biggest hurdles for next-generation alkaline electrolyzers: investigating the dissolution stability of electrocatalysts. This work is critical because while catalyst activity is often highlighted, its stability determines the system’s lifetime and, therefore, its economic feasibility for industry. Carolin’s contribution ensures that the innovations developed in the lab are robust enough to withstand demanding real-world conditions, helping the project achieve its promise to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production.
What initially drew you to your field of study and how does it connect with your interest in green hydrogen?
«What first drew me in was my bachelor’s thesis, where I worked on corrosion in semiconductor research. That experience made me realize how crucial material stability is when you want technology to move from the lab to real-world applications. I carried that interest into my master’s thesis, where I focused on the durability of materials in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). Now, in my current work, I’m continuing that path in alkaline water electrolysis (AWE). For me, green hydrogen is the perfect field to bring these interests together: it challenges me to understand processes on a fundamental level, while also working on solutions that are urgently needed for a sustainable energy system.»
Could you briefly describe, in general terms, the main goals of your research contributions to the SEAL-HYDROGEN project and what excites you the most about your specific area of focus?
«The main goal of my research within the SEAL-HYDROGEN project is to investigate the dissolution stability of electrocatalysts. While much of the field focuses primarily on activity, the long-term stability of catalysts is often overlooked, even though it is critical for scaling up green hydrogen technologies. In my work, we study catalyst dissolution using both fundamental methods, such as the scanning flow cell coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SFC-ICP-MS), and more applied, industrial-like conditions in single-cell electrolyzer test stations.
What excites me most is working in such an interdisciplinary field that combines electrochemistry, catalysis, quantitative analysis and engineering. I also really value the international collaboration within the project, exchanging ideas with colleagues from different countries, and learning from their perspectives is both scientifically inspiring and personally enriching.»
What are some of the general challenges you encountered during your scientific journey so far, and what strategies have you found helpful in navigating them?
«During my PhD, one of the biggest challenges has been learning to deal with uncertainty and to practice patience. Experiments often don’t give the results you expect, and progress can feel slow. Over time, I realized that setbacks and so-called ‘negative results’ are not failures but an important part of the discovery process. Another challenge has been finding my place in highly interdisciplinary teams, where you are constantly confronted with knowledge gaps outside your own expertise. What has helped me navigate these situations is staying curious, asking questions without hesitation, and breaking big problems down into smaller, manageable steps. I’ve also learned how valuable it is to build a supportive network of colleagues and mentors, not only for exchanging knowledge but also for keeping motivation and perspective.»
From your perspective, what are some of the most promising applications or future directions in advancing water electrolysis hydrogen production?
«I believe the future of green hydrogen lies in improving the durability and cost effectiveness of electrolysis systems, but also in seeing hydrogen as part of a bigger puzzle. We will need a collaboration of many solutions, from water electrolysis to batteries and other technologies, and if we use each wisely and tailor them to specific applications, we can take an important step forward in tackling climate change.»
