Smart Composite Material for Hydrogen Storage and Transition to Clean Energy

girl on a mountain looking at the sun rise

Emission free transportation is a promising technology to revolutionise the mobility sectors worldwide. Hydrogen is a sustainable solution to replace fossil-fuel driven transport. However, utilising hydrogen is limited based on the issues involved in hydrogen storage security. The research proposes to improve the security in utilising hydrogen in transportation sector.

Award

MRes | MPhil | PhD | MSc by Research

Start Date

Usually February and October - at individual School's discretion

Research Opportunities

Summary

The incremental energy demand exacerbates the global warming issues. One of the main triggering factors for this raising global warming is the transportation sector which causes around 30% of the world’s emission. However, EU is facing several obstacles to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the transportation sector. Among these, safety concern in clean technologies is considered the bottleneck to implement emission free technology in transportation sector. Evaluating this obstacle, it was envisaged to run cars with electric power by the rotational power from the electric motor and avoiding the power from internal combustion (IC) engine. Hydrogen (H2) powered IC engine emits airborne pollutants like other IC engines. Supporting this finding, H2 powered fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) brings the clean and emission free transportation dreams into reality. The enormous merits of FCEV including zero emission, faster fuelling, noise free drive, economy and higher efficiency (⁓ 60%) are however restricted mainly due to the storage and safety challenges associated with the H2.

This project addresses the existing challenges in designing a safe H2 storage tank by developing innovative technologies for: (a) enhancing volumetric mass of H2 under pressurised condition; (b) a light weight energy storage by expanding storage of electrochemical energy in structural component without carrying any physical battery; (c) continuous monitoring of damage or leakage due to fatigue/impact; and (d) detection of accumulated moisture hazard well in advance before it causes any unwanted accidents. The intervening capability of this proposed vessel design is the unique characteristic which is missing in the current state of the art technologies. The proposed project ensures the comprehensive integrated power and safety features which will overcome the obstacles faced by the current FCEV technology and fostering the emission free transportation.

Aim

To develop a novel, sustainable, low cost and environmentally friendly smart and multifunctional composite pressure vessel.

Goal-A

Methodological development:

Synthesise and evaluate new anode material compared to the conventional anode material in structural battery composite application.
Design and develop a scalable layer-by-layer process for solid state battery utilising solid state electrolyte (SSE) and investigate the interfacial behaviour among cathode-SSE-anode using machine learning approach.

Goal-B

Application of methodological development in novel composite pressure vessel design:

Apply the best available material and its subsequent structure evaluated in goal A in designing single cell smart structural battery composite (SSBC). Evaluation of a series of (i) battery testing; and (ii) structural/mechanical testing is needed.
A multicell SSBC will be studied aiming to understand (i) battery performances; (b) structural integrity; and (iii) accuracy of micro crack and moisture ingression detection in any specific areas of the cells.

The investigation and validation of the developed experimental work with simulations which can be implemented on a case study scenario where a lab scale type IV composite pressure vessel will be selected to store hydrogen as a clean fuel for FCEV.

Essential and Desirable Criteria

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at RGU. You will have a 1st class or 2:1 honours degree in Engineering, Chemistry or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest and knowledge in composite material is essential and battery knowledge is desirable. ;Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.