THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO COMBINE STATE-OF-THE-ART ALKALINE POLYMER ELECTROLYZER COMPONENTS, WITH ADVANCED MANUFACTURING METHODS AND CELL OPERATING CONDITIONS TO MEET FOA GOALS (2.0 A/CM2, <1.8 V AND <4 MV/KHR) TO ACHIEVE $2/KGH2. THE OBJECTIVES OF BUDGET PERIOD (BP) 1 INCLUDE DEVELOPING ANION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE (AEM) ROLL-TO-ROLL (R2R) PARAMETERS AS WELL AS INTRODUCING AND OPTIMIZING DURABLE ELECTRODES USING SELF-ADHESIVE IONOMERS, LOW-COST CATALYSTS, AND NEW MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY (MEA) ASSEMBLY METHODS. THE WORK IN BP2 WILL ALLOW OUR TEAM TO DEMONSTRATE A NEW AEM R2R MANUFACTURING METHOD, IMPLEMENT NEW ELECTROLYZER OPERATING MODES (INCLUDING HIGH ION-STRENGTH ELECTROLYTE WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN PH), AND ELECTRODE DEPOSITION METHODS TO SIMULTANEOUSLY IMPROVE VOLTAGE AND DURABILITY. BP3 FOCUSES ON DETAILED DEGRADATION STUDIES, MODELING, MITIGATION STRATEGIES (IF NEEDED), LARGE-SCALE SYSTEM DEMONSTRATIONS AND COMMERCIALIZATION EVALUATION.