Participated · Series B · May 2023

Modern Hydrogen's core product is a pyrolysis technology that strips carbon from natural gas and biogas to produce clean hydrogen onsite and a solid carbon coproduct. The company says its approach delivers decarbonized gas without reliance on new hydrogen pipelines or large infrastructure upgrades. When paired with biogas, the firm asserts its process can generate net negative emissions by capturing verifiable tons of solid carbon for use in products and building materials. Modern plans to scale up the capacity of its hydrogen production units, expand its clean carbon material offerings, and grow its global market presence through a partnership with Miura in Japan. The company announced a rebrand from Modern Electron to Modern Hydrogen while continuing to serve utilities, biogas, industrial manufacturing, and C&I heating equipment customers. Modern Hydrogen was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash. Modern Electron makes compact thermionic converters that turn furnace heat into electricity and is developing the Modern Electron Reserve to reduce methane into hydrogen and solid carbon (graphite). The thermionic converter is about the size of a soda can and is designed to integrate with existing HVAC systems without increasing volume. The Reserve produces hydrogen for use in the furnace and yields roughly a kilogram or two of graphite dust per day as a solid carbon byproduct, which the company presents as a form of sequestration or potential industrial feedstock. The company positions its technology to decarbonize homes, medium-size industry, and buildings that are too small for large-scale fuel-cell or industrial infrastructure. Modern Electron says it will pursue pilot tests with major HVAC OEMs in the next year and is hiring, especially around the Seattle area. The product roadmap emphasizes integration with existing furnaces and HVAC providers rather than full-system replacement.