New HCN report captures UK materials testing capability in liquid hydrogen

A new report from the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) captures the current materials testing capability for liquid-hydrogen-powered flight across the UK.

In May 2024, the HCN identified research in materials, thermofluids and health and safety as a key to enabling hydrogen-powered aircraft, alongside developing test infrastructure and skills.

The UK Cryogenic & Hydrogen Materials Testing Landscape report published today concludes that while the UK has strong research capability in many of the areas of liquid-hydrogen-powered aircraft technologies, on-aircraft cryogenic hydrogen fuel storage and distribution systems are outliers.

Specifically, the challenge relates to the storage and distribution of hydrogen fuel between the fuel tank and propulsor, across a wide range of fluid temperatures and pressures.

Laura Cuss, HCN Programme Director said: “The UK has a strong history in fuel storage and systems for conventional aircraft which underlines the importance of advancing capability in hydrogen to maintain and grow market share.

“This report offers the sector a consolidated view of the UK research capabilities and facilities available with the aim of unlocking collaboration to address the unique challenges of cryogenic hydrogen.”

Knowledge of fundamental materials behaviour in cryogenic hydrogen environments is a key enabler for the development of liquid hydrogen technologies. This fundamental understanding is required early in the development phase of liquid-hydrogen-powered aircraft, with demand for material test capability expected to grow.

This report summarises the cryogenic and hydrogen materials testing capabilities across UK-based commercial and research organisations. This covers test facilities for the evaluation of mechanical, thermal, hydrogen transport and other properties typically used to understand materials behaviour for design and certification purposes.

The report notes an expansion of test capability will be required to address missing capability in testing environments as well as to provide UK-based capacity for future material evaluation programmes.

Produced in collaboration between the HCN, the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII), the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Henry Royce Institute, the report is available to download here.

This report follows an earlier view of global hydrogen capability available to view here.

From 1st April 2025 the work of the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) will be integrated into the main ATI organisation and the project will conclude. Please click here to read more.