This investment is part of a broader Shell strategy to invest and develop technologies that would benefit the commercialization of hydrogen.

This research examines a novel approach to membrane separation technology used in production of hydrogen from fossil fuels. The benefits of this particular technology are that unlike conventional methods, this process allows separation of pure CO2 at a lower cost. This is essential for economical carbon capture and sequestration, which allows zero-emission production of hydrogen. In addition, this technology may lower the cost of producing hydrogen, bringing it closer to commercialization.

"Shell believes that by funding the efforts of Ohio State's professor Winston Ho's team, we can potentially realize a new and viable technology in the Hydrogen field which could accelerate the arrival of hydrogen-based power and transportation solutions," said Duncan Macleod, Vice President of Shell Hydrogen.

This current project is preceded by two years of preliminary studies conducted by Ohio State University for Shell. Ohio State University has one of the nation's top Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering departments with extensive expertise in coal/hydrocarbon processing as well as in fuel cells and hydrogen.

Shell Oil Company, including its consolidated companies and its share in equity companies, is one of America's leading oil and natural gas producers, natural gas marketers, gasoline marketers and petrochemical manufacturers. Shell, a leading oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, is a recognized pioneer in oil and gas exploration and production technology. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of The Shell Group, which operates in over 140 countries and territories employing more than 112,000 people.