Advent Technologies Powers the Future of Flight with Next-Generation Fuel Cell Technology

LIVERMORE, Calif., Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc., an innovation-driven leader in fuel cell and hydrogen technology, is accelerating the electrification of aviation through its cutting-edge high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEM FCs). In collaboration with Stralis Aircraft and other aerospace pioneers, Advent’s technology is helping enable the next generation of sustainable flight — from fixed-wing aircraft and eVTOL taxis to emerging flying car platforms.

“More than 100 companies — from startups to established aerospace leaders — are developing electric flight solutions,” said Gary Herman, Chief Executive Officer of Advent Technologies. “Whether it’s fixed-wing aircraft, eVTOLs, or even flying cars, Advent provides the key enabling technology that makes the future of hydrogen powered flight possible.”

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Advent’s proprietary Ion Pair™ membrane electrode assembly (MEA), developed in partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory and exclusively licensed for aviation applications, lies at the heart of its HT-PEM fuel cells. This technology delivers higher power output while enabling more efficient thermal management.

“By operating at higher temperatures, our HT-PEM MEAs allow aircraft powertrains to be cooled with smaller, lighter radiators — reducing overall weight and aerodynamic drag,” explained Dr. Emory De Castro, Chief Technology Officer of Advent Technologies. “That efficiency translates directly into longer range, improved performance, and lower operational costs for electric aircraft.”

Stralis Aircraft, a pioneer in operating fixed-wing commercial aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen and fuel cells, recognized early on that advanced cooling systems would be critical to electric flight.

“Thermal management is one of the biggest challenges in aviation electrification,” said Bob Criner of Stralis Aircraft. “By partnering with Advent early in our design cycle, we were able to integrate HT-PEM technology and fully leverage its performance and cooling advantages.”

While early electric flight prototypes have relied on lithium-ion batteries, their limited energy density (around 0.3 kWh/kg) poses significant challenges for flight duration and payload. In contrast, liquid hydrogen offers approximately 33.3 kWh/kg, making it far more suitable for long-range applications.

Conventional low-temperature PEM (LT-PEM) fuel cells — which operate below the boiling point of water — face engineering hurdles related to water management and cooling. Advent’s HT-PEM fuel cells overcome these limitations by operating well above water’s boiling point, eliminating the need for humidification and enabling compact, lightweight, and highly efficient radiator systems.

“This is the hidden advantage of Advent’s HT-PEM technology,” De Castro added. “By running hotter and drier, our fuel cells deliver superior performance while simplifying aircraft design — a true game-changer for sustainable aviation.”

About Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc.

Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. is a U.S. corporation that develops, manufactures, and assembles complete fuel cell systems as well as supplying customers with critical components for fuel cells in the renewable energy sector. Advent is headquartered in Livermore, CA, with offices in Athens and Patras, Greece. With approximately 70 patents issued, pending, and/or licensed for fuel cell technology, Advent holds the IP for next-generation HT-PEM that enables various fuels to function at high temperatures and under extreme conditions, suitable for the automotive, aviation, defense, oil and gas, marine, and power generation sectors. For more information, visit www.advent.energy.

For more information, please contact: Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. [email protected]

About Stralis Aircraft

Stralis Aircraft is based in Australia and is aiming to be the world's leading emission-free aircraft company, producing high-performance, low-operating cost, hydrogen-electric propulsion systems and aircraft at scale. The propulsion system incorporates their proprietary high-temperature next-generation fuel cell system that is six times lighter than automotive fuel cell systems. Their hydrogen-electric aircraft will travel ten times further than battery-electric alternatives and will be cheaper to operate than fossil fuel-powered aircraft. Stralis has letters of intent to buy the aircraft from airlines across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the USA, and Europe.