NewHydrogen Files Its First International Patent for Its ThermoLoop Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

NewHydrogen (OTCQB: NEWH) filed an international patent application under the PCT on March 12, 2026, jointly with University of California, Santa Barbara for its ThermoLoop thermochemical water‑splitting process titled “Coupled Multi‑phase Oxidation‑Reducing For Production of Chemicals.”

The filing covers new material compositions, an isothermal hydrogen process enabling production below 1000°C, and the use of AI/LLM‑driven materials discovery. The PCT submission establishes a priority filing date across 158 contracting countries to strengthen IP as the company advances toward commercialization.

Positive

• PCT filing secures priority date across 158 countries
• Patent covers ThermoLoop process enabling hydrogen <1000°C
• Joint inventors include company CTO and UCSB researchers
• AI/LLM used to discover and optimize regenerable materials

Negative

• Application is a PCT filing and is not yet an issued patent
• No commercial‑scale validation or production metrics disclosed

Joint patent application with University of California, Santa Barbara further strengthens the IP position of the Company’s clean hydrogen technology

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., March 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewHydrogen, Inc. (OTCQB: NEWH), the developer of ThermoLoop^™, a breakthrough technology that uses water and heat instead of electricity to produce low-cost clean hydrogen, today announced that it has jointly filed an international patent application with the University of California, Santa Barbara (“UCSB”) for its innovative clean hydrogen production process and associated technology titled “Coupled Multi-phase Oxidation-Reducing For Production of Chemicals.”

The inventors of the patent application include Dr. Eric McFarland, the Company’s Chief Technology Officer, and Mr. Ryan Patrick, the Company’s Senior Chemical Engineer.

NewHydrogen filed an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) that further expands the basis for the Company’s ThermoLoop thermochemical water splitting process together with new material compositions discovered by the UCSB technology team and the new isothermal hydrogen process.

A key innovation in the filing is the use of artificial intelligence and Large Language Models (LLM) to discover and design optimal materials for these reaction networks. This allows the team to identify and optimize complex mixed-metal oxides and other regenerable materials that can operate efficiently within specific temperature ranges. For example, the technology enables hydrogen production at temperatures below 1000°C, which avoids the energy-inefficient large temperature swings required by previous methods.

"This international patent filing represents a critical milestone in our mission to produce the world's most cost-effective clean hydrogen," said Steve Hill, CEO of NewHydrogen. "By combining advanced material science with AI-driven discovery, we are creating a scalable, carbon-free path for hydrogen production that bypasses the high costs of electricity-intensive electrolysis."

The PCT application establishes a filing date in all 158 contracting countries, providing the Company with a robust foundation to protect its intellectual property as it moves toward commercialization.

About NewHydrogen, Inc.

NewHydrogen is developing ThermoLoop^™ — a breakthrough technology that uses water and heat instead of electricity to produce the world's cheapest clean hydrogen. Hydrogen is important to modern life, and we can't live without it. Hydrogen is the key ingredient in making fertilizers needed to grow food for the world. It is also used for transportation, refining oil and making steel, glass, pharmaceuticals and more. Nearly all the hydrogen today is made from hydrocarbons like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are dirty and limited resources. Water, on the other hand, is an infinite and renewable worldwide resource. Currently, the most common way of making clean hydrogen is to split water into oxygen and hydrogen with electricity using an electrolyzer, a very expensive process. By using heat directly, we can dramatically reduce the use of expensive electricity. A massive source of inexpensive heat can be obtained from current and future power plants, especially small modular nuclear reactors. Working with a world class research team at UC Santa Barbara, our goal is to help usher in the clean hydrogen economy that Goldman Sachs estimated to have a future market value of $12 trillion.

Safe Harbor Statement

Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, the impact of public health epidemics on the global economy and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:

NewHydrogen, Inc.
ir@newhydrogen.com

FAQ

What did NewHydrogen (NEWH) announce on March 12, 2026 about ThermoLoop?

They filed a joint international PCT patent application covering ThermoLoop and new materials. According to the company, the filing includes an isothermal hydrogen process, AI‑driven materials discovery, and establishes a priority date across 158 PCT contracting countries.

How does the ThermoLoop patent filing affect NewHydrogen's IP protection (NEWH)?

The PCT filing creates an international priority date for ThermoLoop across 158 countries. According to the company, this expands IP coverage for materials and process claims while the application proceeds through national patent systems toward potential grants.

What technical innovation in the NEWH patent could lower hydrogen production energy needs?

The filing highlights an isothermal process enabling hydrogen production at temperatures below 1000°C. According to the company, avoiding large temperature swings improves efficiency compared with prior thermochemical methods and supports lower‑cost hydrogen goals.

Does the NewHydrogen (NEWH) patent application involve AI or machine learning?

Yes. The filing cites use of AI and large language models to design optimal materials for reaction networks. According to the company, AI helps identify mixed‑metal oxides and regenerable materials tailored to specific temperature ranges.

Who are the named inventors on NewHydrogen's March 12, 2026 patent application?

Named inventors include the company's CTO Dr. Eric McFarland and Senior Chemical Engineer Ryan Patrick. According to the company, the application was filed jointly with University of California, Santa Barbara researchers.

Does the PCT filing mean NewHydrogen (NEWH) has an issued patent now?

No. The PCT application establishes an international filing date but is not an issued patent. According to the company, national patent examinations and potential grants remain required before enforceable patents are granted.