Fundamental cryogenic hydrogen research landscape analysed in new reports from the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network, introduced by Nour Eid, Head of Strategy and Commercial – HCN.

Since the publication of the FlyZero reports in 2022, the aerospace sector has progressed its understanding of the opportunities and limitations associated with liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuelled aircraft. In parallel, hydrogen has become more visible as a route to decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors.

The ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) set out to establish what is required for the UK aerospace sector to secure the market opportunity that zero-carbon emissions technologies represents. In May 2024, the HCN identified test infrastructure, research and skills as the three key enablers to hydrogen-powered aircraft technologies.

To investigate the current state-of-the-art fundamental research, the HCN commissioned global landscaping projects in three key areas, and a report has been written by academic experts on each of them. These reports highlight the global research status and gaps in which research and development is needed to enable the liquid hydrogen aircraft of the future.

The three reports published today alongside a summary report focus on the fundamental research landscape and follow a comprehensive assessment of international research capabilities. The studies and subsequent reports have focused on priority fundamental research areas:

	A Cryogenic Hydrogen Research Summary which looks into the common themes across all three research areas and consolidates the key findings and industrial priorities for fundamental research in the UK. Download.		Cryogenic Hydrogen Thermofluids Behaviour led by the University of Nottingham. Download.
	Material Behaviour in Cryogenic Hydrogen Environments led by the University of Sheffield with support from Oxford Research and Development Limited. Download.		Cryogenic Hydrogen Health and Safety led by the University of Nottingham with support from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Download.

 

From concept to certifiable: Why do we need this now?

Cryogenic hydrogen storage and fuel systems demand a completely new architecture compared to today’s kerosene systems. LH2 aircraft will store fuel at -253°, will require complex systems to manage the fuel through different phases, and will need materials that can safely tolerate repeated exposure to hydrogen.

Recent research for LH2-fuelled civil aviation has significantly increased over the past five years (see chart). With large LH2-powered commercial aircraft expected to enter service in the 2040s, further action is required now, particularly in underpinning fundamental research, to enable technologies to be developed in time and secure the market opportunity.

Key priorities identified in each report:

• Materials: developing increased confidence in and availability of materials test data. Testing standards were highlighted as critical to enable comparison of results and develop the confidence needed for aerospace certification.
• Thermofluids: developing validated models for fluid systems. To do this, increased confidence in fundamental fluid properties is needed through more standardised testing, and more system level datasets developed to improve validation.
• Health and safety: understanding the cycle of cause, development and consequence of liquid hydrogen system failures. Experimental data, improved models and good practice guides based on human factors are all needed.

Learn more and read the reports

Today marks the first in a series of publications which outline the conclusions from the HCN. The next series of publications will focus on technology priorities and the UK’s test landscape.

Click here to read all the HCN’s reports on the ATI website.

Hydrogen at the ATI

From 1st April 2025 the work of the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) became integrated into the main ATI organisation and the project concluded.

By integrating the priorities identified through the HCN, the ATI will ensure that future technology strategies, investment priorities and industry support are informed by the findings of the project. Relationships and partnerships focusing on cryogenic hydrogen established during the project will also be led by the ATI from April onwards.

As well as convening the UK aerospace sector to establish common needs and collaborative approaches to progress them, the HCN project outputs include detailed open reports, a live network map and the international landscaping work published today. The project also delivered the first aerospace focused cryogenic hydrogen research conference in January 2025, in partnership the Civil Aviation Authority. Further open reports from the HCN including test infrastructure and an overall conclusions report will be published in summer 2025.