NASA Nominates GenH2’s Liquid Hydrogen Tech for “Invention of the Year,” Signaling Breakthroughs for Cryogenic Hydrogen in Flight

GenH2 Corp., a Path2 Hydrogen Company, announced that NASA nominated its Cryostat CS500 simulation test platform at Kennedy Space Center for the agency’s prestigious Commercial Invention of the Year (IOY) Award, with Honorable Mention for the CS500 and co-inventor James Fesmire (GenH2 Chief Architect and Co-Founder). The IOY Award honors NASA-developed technologies that are patented, licensed, and commercialized by private industry—benefiting NASA, the U.S. economy, and potentially the world.

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Liquid Hydrogen Cryogenics: Why the CS500 Matters

Originally developed to meet critical space program needs, Cryostat CS500 and its class of cryostats have enabled advanced testing of new materials, helped establish global technical standards for cryogenic insulation systems, and supported Return to Flight efforts by simulating real-world and space-vacuum environments. GenH2 licensed NASA’s cryostat technology and commercialized the CS500 simulation test platform (STP), expanding adoption in the U.S. and internationally.

“With GenH2’s licensing of the Cryostat simulation test platform (STP) technologies, adoption of this innovation is expanding both in the U.S. and internationally,” said James Fesmire, GenH2 Chief Architect and Co-Founder. “Next-generation versions, such as the CS500+ and CS900 STP, are poised to further advance materials testing, system evaluations, and clean energy applications, especially in the use of liquid hydrogen (LH₂) as the world’s primary high-density energy carrier for both energy and transportation sectors.”

NASA Technology Transfer and Recognition

• Only KSC-patented nominee: GenH2 was the only nominee for the Commercial IOY Award with a technology patented by NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Technology Transfer Office and commercialized by a private partner.

• Honorable Mention: Cryostat CS500 and its co-inventor James Fesmire—a retired NASA engineer and NASA Distinguished Service Medal recipient—received Honorable Mention when winners were announced.

“In a highly competitive IOY field, we are incredibly proud of NASA’s recognition of our work commercializing their Cryostat technology with our CS500,” said Greg Gosnell, CEO of GenH2. “Congratulations to James Fesmire for his leadership in bringing the CS500 to market and for helping GenH2 earn this remarkable honor.”

Collaborations Advancing Hydrogen Cryogenics

GenH2 notes collaborations with the University of Melbourne (Australia), University of Western Australia (Australia), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA), Airbus (France), Shell (The Netherlands), and ITP (France) to advance hydrogen infrastructure and cryogenic technologies.

Company Background

GenH2 Corp. is a subsidiary of Path2 Hydrogen AG (FRA: PTHH) (formerly Philomaxcap AG). GenH2 develops liquid hydrogen infrastructure systems, including modular hydrogen liquefaction and Zero-Loss transfer and storage, with a team that includes former NASA scientists.

For more informationhttps://www.genh2.com/

(Top image: Credit — GenH2)

FAQ: Liquid Hydrogen Cryostats, NASA IOY, and Cryogenic Testing

1. What is the Cryostat CS500?

   1. A simulation test platform (STP) originally developed at NASA to evaluate cryogenic materials and insulation systems under controlled, repeatable conditions including space-vacuum environments.

2. What does NASA’s Commercial Invention of the Year (IOY) recognize?

   1. NASA-developed technologies that are patented, licensed, and commercialized by private industry, demonstrating benefits to NASA and the broader economy.

3. Why is the CS500 significant for liquid hydrogen (LH₂) systems?

   1. It enables standardized testing that helps reduce thermal losses (boil-off), validate insulation performance, and support zero-loss transfer and storage designs.

4. Who are the named contributors and leaders?

   1. James Fesmire (GenH2 Chief Architect & Co-Founder; retired NASA engineer; NASA Distinguished Service Medal recipient) is the co-inventor. Greg Gosnell is GenH2’s CEO.

5. What next-gen platforms were mentioned?

   1. CS500+ and CS900 STP, aimed at advancing materials testing, system evaluations, and clean-energy applications.

6. How did NASA Kennedy Space Center factor into this nomination?

   1. The CS500 was the only Commercial IOY nominee with a technology patented by KSC’s Technology Transfer Office and licensed to a private partner (GenH2).

7. How does CS500 testing support “Return to Flight” efforts?

   1. By replicating realistic thermal and vacuum conditions, it helps qualify materials and insulation systems used in cryogenic propellant environments for mission readiness.

8. Which organizations were cited as collaborators?

   1. University of Melbourne, University of Western Australia, NREL, Airbus, Shell, and ITP.

9. What is meant by “Zero-Loss transfer and storage”?

   1. Designs and procedures intended to minimize or eliminate boil-off and venting during LH₂ storage and transfer, improving efficiency and safety.

10. How does commercialization benefit broader hydrogen markets?

    1. A commercially available, standardized test platform accelerates product development, standards formation, and global deployment of cryogenic hydrogen equipment.

11. Who owns GenH2?

    1. GenH2 Corp. is a subsidiary of Path2 Hydrogen AG (FRA: PTHH), formerly Philomaxcap AG.

12. What applications did the article highlight?

    1. Advancing materials testing, system evaluations, and clean-energy applications—especially in the use of liquid hydrogen as a high-density energy carrier for energy and transportation sectors.

       
       

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