Industries benefit from infrastructure bill

We’re excited to see the expansion of clean hydrogen energy as part of the recently-passed U.S. infrastructure bill. We predict a growing demand for next-generation hydrogen fuel cell fast-chargers, facilitating access to clean fuel for millions of vehicles. 

Hydrogen clean energy chargers will also increase the viability of electric vehicle chargers on a global level. Domestically, the new bill dedicates funds for hydrogen fuel programs including: 

• $8 billion for the development of regional clean-hydrogen hubs for the production, processing, delivery, storage and end use of clean energy
• $1 billion for the demonstration, commercialization and deployment program aimed at decreasing the cost of clean hydrogen production from electrolyzers
• $500 million for a clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling program supporting a clean hydrogen domestic supply chain

Hydrogen fuel cells don’t release harmful chemicals into the air. Instead, they use hydrogen and oxygen as fuel, and the only by-product is water. Clean hydrogen energy fuel cells are an environmentally friendly option, compared to internal combustion engines. Weldments on hydrogen fuel cells used in electric vehicles are one of our specialties. 

Hydrogen fuel cell production requires extreme cleanliness

Exposing hydrogen fuel cell components to impurities in the air or to miniscule amounts of oil on surfaces will negatively impact their performance. We weld hydrogen fuel cell components in a cleanroom setting, which is maintained daily. Potential contaminants such as dirt and dust particles don’t have an opportunity to enter the environment, plus the tooling used gets regularly cleaned, and technicians wear protective gear to maintain the purity of end products.

Tungsten inert gas welding or TIG welding (a.k.a. gas tungsten arc welding) is often used on hydrogen fuel cell components because it is an ultra-precise and ultra-clean process. Axenics has three-plus decades of mastery in TIG welding. We also assist with the development of hydrogen production systems and hydrogen dispensing systems. 

Here are a couple recent blog posts that delve into Axenics’ work in the clean energy industry: 

• Hydrogen fuel cell welding
• Non-destructive weld testing critical for hydrogen fuel cell components

EV/Semiconductor industry benefits from infrastructure bill

The recent passing of the bipartisan infrastructure bill also designates $7.5 billion for building a national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the United States. More EV chargers will lead to more clean energy vehicles, increasing the need for semiconductors. 

As you know, the semiconductor industry is flourishing. OEMs partner with contract manufacturers – like Axenics – to meet the growing demand for components. For example, one of our specialties is ultra-pure welding on hydrogen fuel cell components used in electric vehicles. One of our most-exciting recent R&D projects was for a hydrogen-powered fueling station.

For more than 40 years, Axenics’ produces ultra-clean, high-purity weldments and bent tubing and pipes for semiconductor manufacturing production systems. Over the years, we expanded into other industries that require that same degree of ultra-clean results, such as medical device manufacturing, life sciences, chemical manufacturing and, of course, alternative energy (producers of hydrogen fuel cells).

We know it’s both an exciting and exasperating time for those of us working in semiconductors. What are your current pain points, and how can we help?

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