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Archived News

Catch up on Hydragon milestones, outreach & events

Consortium Milestones & Archived Events

Inspiring the next generation of scientists
Science outreach at Elementary School S-MYSL in Kroměříž
2026-04

As part of the HYDRAGON project, we believe that advancing clean energy goes hand in hand with education and curiosity. Our team member Pavla Eliášová from the Faculty of Science, Charles University recently visited Elementary School S-MYSL in Kroměříž, Czech Republic. She talked with students about solar fuels — what they are, how they're made, why they could shape our energy future, and what a catalyst actually is. Engaging with young minds reminds us that innovation starts with imagination. Learn more about our project: HYDRAGON on LinkedIn.

HYDRAGON 2nd-Year Kick-off Meeting & Q1 Workshop
HYDRAGON 2nd-Year Kick-off Meeting and Q1 Workshop
2026-03
In March 2026, HYDRAGON partners from KIST, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), and Samwhan Corporation organised the consortium's 2nd-Year Kick-off Meeting and Q1 Workshop. The event brought together researchers from the Korean partner institutions and featured four oral presentations covering the latest advances in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and solar cell modules for PV-PEC systems.
The scientific programme included four oral presentations:
  1. Seok-Ho Seo – PEC electrodes based on Cu2O microcrystals–MWCNT composites for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction
  2. Juhee You – PEC hydrogen production using ZnO-G electrodes with enhanced conductivity based on CFRP electrodes
  3. Jeong-Kyun Oh – MOFs (IEF-11)/n-GaN nanowire hybrid photoanode for high-performance photoelectrochemical applications
  4. Samwhan Corporation – Fabrication and demonstration of solar cell modules for PV-PEC systems
The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress achieved during the first project year, align on goals for the second year, and strengthen collaboration between the European and Asian partners of the HYDRAGON consortium.
HYDRAGON at the 70th Korean Vacuum Society Conference
70th Korean Vacuum Society Conference
2026-02-09–11
Our group participated in the 70th Korean Vacuum Society Conference held from February 9 to 11, 2026. During the conference, we presented two posters and one oral presentation, showcasing our latest results in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production and quantum dot research. The poster presentations were given by MSc students Juhee You and Seok-Ho Seo, based on our recently published papers on MoS2/TiO2 photoanodes and ZnO/MWCNT composites.
The two poster presentations were based on our recently published work:
  1. Efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution with MoS2/TiO2 heterojunction photoanodes on porous stainless steel mesh
  2. Rationally designed zinc oxide nanosphere and multi-walled carbon nanotube composite with enhanced photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance
One oral presentation was delivered by PhD student Dong Gwon Heo, who presented research on the optical properties of CdSe quantum dots controlled by adjusting the precursor ratio. By tuning the precursor ratio, he simultaneously controlled the surface composition, optical properties, and size of the CdSe quantum dots. A higher Cd ratio on the surface was found to promote the formation of smaller quantum dots. Using this approach, magic-size nanoclusters below 2 nm were successfully synthesized, and white emission was achieved from a single-sized nanocluster system.
HYDRAGON: The clean energy of the future comes from the sun and water
HYDRAGON March 2026 press release
2026-03
Scientists from four countries are joining forces to change how we produce green hydrogen. Researchers from the Czech Republic (Charles University), Spain (IMDEA Energy), Turkey (Istanbul Technical University), and the Republic of Korea (Institute of Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University and Shawman Co. Ltd.) have launched in May 2025 an ambitious international project with a shared goal: to turn sunlight and water into clean hydrogen using innovative, flexible, and low-cost materials. This type of hydrogen – known as green hydrogen – is gaining attention as one of the most promising clean energy sources for a more sustainable future.

As the world works to reduce pollution and move away from fossil fuels, finding better alternatives to generate and store energy is more urgent than ever. Unlike conventional hydrogen, green hydrogen is produced using only renewable sources, such as sunlight, and produces zero emissions during its production.

This three-year project, named HYDRAGON (From Light to Energy: Synergetic Multifunctional Materials Driving Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation), is funded by the European M-ERA.NET 2024 program, which promotes global collaboration in science and technology. It focuses on photoelectrochemical (PEC) technologies that use sunlight to split water – drawn from natural sources like rivers or the sea – directly into hydrogen.

To make this possible, the researchers will develop advanced materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), lead-free perovskites, and metal oxides and carbides, all based on abundant and inexpensive metals. These materials will be combined with flexible carbon-based supports to create next-generation devices that will be more efficient, durable, and environmentally friendly.

Since its launch, the HYDRAGON project has already delivered encouraging results. During its first phase, researchers have developed five promising semiconductor materials designed to enhance hydrogen production directly from sunlight and water, addressing key challenges related to efficiency and stability in green hydrogen technologies.

The strength of the collaboration is also reflected in its scientific output, with three peer-reviewed articles published to date:

  • A composite photoanode composed of ZnO nanospheres electrostatically integrated with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) achieved a photocurrent density of 417 µA cm-2 at 1.23 VRHE (29.7-fold higher than pristine ZnO), a hydrogen evolution yield of 3.44 µmol cm-2 (12.3-fold increase), and a 21-fold enhancement in pollutant degradation kinetics (Journal of Power Sources 2026, 664, 238963).
  • Bismuth-based perovskitoids were introduced as interlayers in perovskite optoelectronic devices to modulate energy level alignment. Their incorporation, in combination with C60 as the electron transport layer, resulted in improved device performance. These findings highlight the potential of Bi-based perovskitoids to induce band bending and optimize interfacial energetics (ACS Omega 2025, 10, 52067–52075).
  • A visible-light-responsive MoS2/TiO2 heterojunction photoanode on porous stainless-steel mesh (SSM) achieved a photocurrent density of 102.21 μA cm-2 and a 53.7% increase in ABPE compared to TiO2/SSM, with hydrogen evolution improved by 2.7-fold (International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2025, 196, 152561).

These achievements highlight the value of international cooperation between European and Asian partners and mark an important step toward scalable, sustainable hydrogen technologies that can support the global transition to clean energy.

For updates on the project, follow us:

Science as a passion: Interview with Pavla Eliášová in Svět ženy
Interview with Pavla Eliášová in Svět ženy
2026-01-24
The Czech women’s magazine Svět ženy has published an interview with Dr. Pavla Eliášová titled “Science as a passion”, highlighting her journey in chemistry and her dedication to clean energy research. In the article, she explains what motivated her to become a scientist, how she balances her professional and personal life, and why inspiring young people—especially girls—to pursue scientific careers matters to her. The interview also introduces her work on advanced materials for solar-driven water splitting and green hydrogen production within the international HYDRAGON project. Readers can access the magazine online at www.svetzeny.cz.
“Science is not only my job, it is my passion and a way to contribute to a cleaner future,” says Dr. Pavla Eliášová in the interview for Svět ženy.

In the feature, she talks about her research on new functional materials that use sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, a process known as water splitting. This green hydrogen can then serve as a clean fuel that produces only water when used, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the transition to more sustainable energy systems. The interview also briefly presents the HYDRAGON (“From Light to Energy: Synergetic Multifunctional Materials Driving Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation”) project, where international partners work together to design low-cost, efficient photoelectrochemical devices for hydrogen production from water, including non-traditional sources.

You can learn more about the magazine at https://www.svetzeny.cz/ and follow our ongoing research on hydrogen technologies and sustainable energy on o ur website and social media channels.
Poster and Outreach at School on Sustainable Catalysis Conference
Liblice Castle - School on Sustainable Catalysis
2025-10-21 – 2025-10-24
Charles University (CU) participated in the School on Sustainable Catalysis held at Liblice Castle, Czech Republic. Pavla Eliášová presented a research poster on "HF-Free MXene Synthesis Using Ultrasound-Assisted Organic Acid Etching". The event brought together early career researchers and leading experts in catalysis from across Europe. Find out more about the conference at the official site.
Charles University (CU) participated in the School on Sustainable Catalysis held at Liblice Castle, Czech Republic. Pavla Eliášová presented a research poster on "HF-Free MXene Synthesis Using Ultrasound-Assisted Organic Acid Etching". The event brought together early career researchers and leading experts in catalysis from across Europe. Find out more about the conference at the official site.
Korean Partners Delegation Visits European Partners
Korean Delegation Visit 2025
2025-10-12
Recently, our European project partners – Istanbul Technical University, Charles University and IMDEA Energy – welcomed a delegation of Korean partners from KIST, Jeonbuk National University, and SAMWHAN Co. company as part of ongoing international collaboration. The visit included fruitful discussions and exchange of expertise across several institutions. A special highlight was the presentation series by two distinguished professors, Prof. Yong-Ho Ra and Prof. Dong Ick Son, whose talks brought leading perspectives on hydrogen technologies and advanced materials. We are grateful for the active engagement, inspiring lectures, and opportunities to deepen cooperation.
Recently, our European project partners – Istanbul Technical University, Charles University and IMDEA Energy – welcomed a delegation of Korean partners from KIST, Jeonbuk National University, and SAMWHAN Co. company as part of ongoing international collaboration.
The visit included fruitful discussions and exchange of expertise across several institutions. A special highlight was the presentation series by two distinguished professors, Prof. Yong-Ho Ra and Prof. Dong Ick Son, whose talks brought leading perspectives on hydrogen technologies and advanced materials.
We are grateful for the active engagement, inspiring lectures, and opportunities to deepen cooperation.
For more details, find our posts on LinkedIn.
Outreach: "Solar fuels – dream or future?" Public Lecture
Public outreach lecture for students
2025-10-29
As part of the "Journey to the Depth of Chemistry" outreach series, Dr. Pavla Eliášová delivered an inspiring public talk for high-school students on "Solar fuels – dream or future?". The session engaged young minds with interactive discussion on sustainable energy, clean hydrogen, and the future of solar-driven fuels. The event aimed to promote scientific curiosity and careers in chemistry among the next generation.
As part of the "Journey to the Depth of Chemistry" outreach series, Dr. Pavla Eliášová delivered an inspiring public talk for high-school students on "Solar fuels – dream or future?". The session engaged young minds with interactive discussion on sustainable energy, clean hydrogen, and the future of solar-driven fuels. The event aimed to promote scientific curiosity and careers in chemistry among the next generation.
1st International Conference on EMPOWER Women in MOFs and Beyond
1st International Conference on EMPOWER Women in MOFs and Beyond
2025-11-09–14
Our group participated in the 1st International Conference on EMPOWER Women in MOFs and Beyond, held in November in Mexico, bringing together researchers working on metal–organic frameworks, porous materials, and related functional systems. The event focused on promoting the scientific achievements of women in the field, fostering mentoring, networking, and new international collaborations across academia and industry. As part of the program, our team contributed a poster entitled "Design strategies for water-stable perovskite-inspired materials in photoelectrocatalytic systems", presenting our latest results on robust materials for solar-driven hydrogen technologies. More information about the conference is available at www.ewmb.com.mx.
The 1st International Conference on EMPOWER Women in MOFs and Beyond highlighted excellence in research on MOFs, porous solids, and advanced functional materials, with a strong emphasis on visibility and leadership of women scientists.

The scientific program covered topics from fundamental synthesis and characterization of MOFs and framework materials to their applications in energy conversion, gas storage, catalysis, and environmental remediation, creating a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas and building new projects. Our poster "Design strategies for water-stable perovskite-inspired materials in photoelectrocatalytic systems" showcased approaches to improving the stability and performance of perovskite-inspired semiconductors under aqueous operation, a key requirement for efficient photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen production and related reactions. Participation in this conference strengthens our international ties and supports the development of a more inclusive research community, where early-career scientists have the opportunity to present their work, gain feedback, and establish long-term collaborations.

You can find further details about the conference and its mission at https://www.ewmb.com.mx/.
Scientific outreach at IMDEA: Brain Wars and Science Week 2025
IMDEA scientific outreach activities 2025
2025-11-07 & 12
In November 2025, our team took part in two scientific outreach activities at IMDEA in Madrid, aimed at bringing cutting-edge energy research closer to students and the general public. On 7 November, researchers contributed to the VI edition of the scientific communication contest "Brain Wars: The Future Is in Your Hands", an event that challenges young scientists to present their work in an engaging and accessible way. A few days later, on 12 November, we joined IMDEA Energía's "Semana de la Ciencia y la Innovación", visiting local schools to talk about sustainable energy, solar technologies, and hydrogen as a clean fuel. More information about these initiatives can be found at Brain Wars and Semana de la Ciencia.
The VI edition of "Brain Wars: The Future Is in Your Hands" invited young researchers to communicate their projects creatively, fostering debate, critical thinking, and public engagement with science.

During this competition, participants presented short, accessible talks about their work, showing how fundamental and applied research in areas such as materials, energy, and chemistry can address societal challenges and inspire future scientific careers. As part of the "Semana de la Ciencia y la Innovación 2025", IMDEA Energía researchers visited secondary schools and vocational training centers, explaining how solar energy, green hydrogen, and other sustainable technologies contribute to a cleaner and more efficient energy system. Through interactive demonstrations, discussions, and classroom activities, these outreach actions aimed to spark curiosity about scientific research, encourage STEM vocations among young people, and raise awareness of the importance of innovation for a sustainable future.

You can learn more about these outreach events at https://stmad.rseq.org/brain_wars/ and https://energia.imdea.org/events/semana-de-la-ciencia-y-la-innovacion-2/.
HYDRAGON: The clean energy of the future comes from the sun and water
HYDRAGON Press Note 2025
2025-10-12
Scientists from four countries are joining forces to change how we produce green hydrogen. Researchers from the Czech Republic (Charles University), Spain (IMDEA Energy), Turkey (Istanbul Technical University), and the Republic of Korea (Institute of Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University, and Shawman Co. Ltd.) have launched an ambitious international project to turn sunlight and water into clean hydrogen using innovative, flexible, and low-cost materials. Green hydrogen is gaining attention as one of the most promising clean energy sources for a sustainable future. Unlike conventional hydrogen, green hydrogen is produced from renewable sources, such as sunlight, generating zero emissions during production. HYDRAGON ("From Light to Energy: Synergetic Multifunctional Materials Driving Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation") is coordinated in Spain by IMDEA Energy Institute and focuses on photoelectrochemical (PEC) technologies that use sunlight to split water—drawn from rivers or the sea—directly into hydrogen.
"This project is a key step toward cleaner, safer, and more accessible energy for everyone," says Dr. Patricia Horcajada, coordinator of the international consortium.

Researchers will develop advanced materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), lead-free perovskites, metal oxides, and carbides, all based on abundant and inexpensive metals. These materials will be combined with flexible carbon-based supports to create next-generation devices that will be more efficient, durable, and environmentally friendly.

HYDRAGON launched in May 2025 and is a three-year project funded by the European M-ERA.NET 2024 program, promoting global scientific collaboration. This initiative is an important step toward sustainable green hydrogen production, aiding worldwide climate change efforts.

For updates, follow us:
HYDRAGON Featured in FuturENERGY Magazine
IMDEA Energy FuturENERGY Article 2025
2025-10-12
Sergio Carrasco, Miriam Vos, Yolanda Pérez and Patricia Horcajada from IMDEA Energy contributed to the publication of an article in FuturENERGY magazine, presenting the HYDRAGON project's objectives, technological approach, and expected impact. The article was aimed at increasing visibility among industrial stakeholders and the energy innovation community by translating scientific concepts into accessible language. The HYDRAGON initiative showcases the technological leadership of IMDEA Energy. For more about our published work, access the full magazine article below.
Sergio Carrasco, Miriam Vos, Yolanda Pérez and Patricia Horcajada from IMDEA Energy contributed to the publication of an article in FuturENERGY magazine, presenting the HYDRAGON project's objectives, technological approach, and expected impact.
The article was aimed at increasing visibility among industrial stakeholders and the energy innovation community by translating scientific concepts into accessible language.
The HYDRAGON initiative showcases the technological leadership of IMDEA Energy and its commitment to energy innovation.
For more details and direct access to the publication: Read the full magazine article.
Introducing HYDRAGON: A Global Project for Green Hydrogen
2025-08-14

We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the HYDRAGON project! HYDRAGON ("From Light to Energy: Synergetic Multifunctional ...)

HYDRAGON Teams Launch Collaboration on Solar & Green Hydrogen
2025-08-14

We're excited to share that HYDRAGON project teams have begun working together, uniting expertise and passion for solar energy and green hydrogen. In July, all partners will gather for our official kick-off meeting.

HYDRAGON Project Kick-off Meeting IMDEA logo
2025-07-03

HYDRAGON Consortium partners held the official kick-off meeting, launching scientific collaborations between teams in Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, and South Korea.

Consortium on LinkedIn Hydragon logo
2025-08-14

HYDRAGON is officially present on LinkedIn. Follow us for ongoing project updates!