© Nernst
Founded by Nick Farandos and Chris Matson, Nernst* aims to make oxygen supply for fish farms more reliable and cost-effective by producing it on site at fish farms. The pair previously worked together in the energy and hydrogen sector, focusing on innovative electrochemical technologies. With backgrounds in energy and mechanical engineering from leading UK universities including Cambridge and Imperial College London, they went on to launch Nernst in Bray, Ireland.
“Nick and I founded Nernst to focus on high-temperature ceramic electrochemical technology, and particularly how to manufacture it cost-effectively. The technology is highly efficient, but it’s traditionally been too expensive. Over the past two years we’ve developed a 3D-printing process to make it commercially viable,” explains Matson, the startup’s director of engineering.
Nernst is still in its early stages, but their system has already proven effective at the laboratory scale. The next steps include trialling the system in a land-based farm in Ireland. To date, they have secured $2 million in funding.
A new method for oxygen production in aquaculture
Their 3D-printed ceramic membrane works by separating the oxygen from air, which comprises mostly oxygen and nitrogen. When an electrical potential is applied, oxygen ions pass through the membrane and are re-formed into pure oxygen.
Today, most fish farms rely on two established methods of oxygen supply. The first is liquid oxygen, produced by cryogenic distillation, in which air is cooled to -180°C until the oxygen can be separated. This is carried out at large central plants that make thousands of tonnes per day and the oxygen is then distributed in tanks.
“Aquaculture operations are often located in remote areas. For instance, Ireland’s main oxygen production and distribution hubs are concentrated around Dublin on the east coast, while much of the aquaculture sector is based on the west coast. Transporting oxygen across that distance is both costly and tightly regulated,” details Matson.
Nernst’s ceramic membrane is very efficient, according to Matson, and requires less energy to produce the same amount of oxygen as alternatives, for example pressure swing adsorption (PSA). In recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), where energy efficiency is a priority, it is a major advantage. The system can also deliver over 99 percent oxygen purity, compared to around 93 to 95 percent for the best PSA units.
© Nernst
PSA, which also produce oxygen on site, work by passing compressed air over pellets that adsorb nitrogen, allowing oxygen to pass through. They often have moving parts – fans, compressors, valves – making them more prone to breakdowns, especially in humid, salty aquaculture environments.
“Our technology is a solid-state technology, so it does not have moving parts,” explains Matson.
Another benefit is scalability. Ceramic membranes can work at any size, from small units producing less than one kilogram a day to systems generating over 100 tonnes – allowing for the startup to begin at smaller scale.
Testing in the field and looking ahead
The aquaculture industry wasn’t always Nernst Electric’s target. The company only decided about a year ago to make it their starting point.
“Aquaculture is attractive because there’s such a wide range of system sizes in demand – from small units producing a few kilograms a day to very large facilities. For a young company, that flexibility makes it an ideal starting point. It’s also a growing sector that’s open to testing new technologies, which makes it an exciting fit for us,” says Matson.
Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency (BIM) and Hatch Blue have helped the company identify potential applications in fish farming and are now working with them to find suitable sites for the first demonstration trials. The aim is to collect performance data that can be shared with potential clients.
With results from a pilot test in a land-based farm expected soon, the company hopes to demonstrate that its technology works in a full-scale setting. Building on that proof, Nernst is seeking further investment and aims to launch sales in 2026.
“Our plan is to begin with small oxygen generators and scale up gradually, matching the needs of customers at each stage. There’s no need to leap straight to very large systems – it’s better to build capability step by step. We’re starting in aquaculture, but as the systems grow larger, we’ll also target other industries,” concludes Matson.
*Nernst is one of Hatch Blue’s portfolio companies, but The Fish Site retains editorial independence.
