* Dr. David Hodgson acquires ONS, shifts strategy to alkaline and AEM test station hardware

* Launches Academic Loan Scheme to support hydrogen R&D and identify future testing needs

UK-based hydrogen tech firm Oxford nanoSystems (ONS) has been acquired by Dr. David Hodgson, who now serves as Executive Chairman. The company -- originally spun out of Oxford University -- has built a reputation for high-surface-area materials and electrochemical test stations. Under Hodgson's direction, ONS will now concentrate its efforts on providing test station and electrolyser hardware for alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and anion exchange membrane (AEM) systems.

"ONS offers state-of-the-art test stations," said Hodgson. "Our focus will be on advancing this segment of the green hydrogen sector, providing material and process developers with essential tools for performance characterisation." Hodgson, the former CTO of James Cropper and a specialist in advanced materials, confirmed that strategic partnerships will be a key part of ONS's growth plan, aimed at widening its market footprint and accelerating development timelines for electrolyser components.

To support academic research, ONS has launched an Academic Loan Scheme that allows universities and research groups to borrow test stations on a long-term basis. "Participation in this scheme will encourage collaboration with leading researchers, enabling us to jointly identify future characterisation requirements," Hodgson added. The company's last major milestone was the commissioning of a demonstration plant for its nanoFLUX electrode coating, which claimed to increase AWE output by over 50% while slashing hydrogen production costs.