Professor awarded Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship

Dr Sheida Afshan from the School of Engineering at the University of Southampton has been awarded a prestigious Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship to develop further insight into how using stainless steel containers to transport hydrogen can combat the climate emergency.

The Fellowship, announced by the Royal Academy of Engineering, will enable Dr Afshan to specialise on the use of stainless steel metallic cylinders for the storage and transportation of liquified hydrogen fuel.

Hydrogen storage is an important part of the future network infrastructure for hydrogen fuel technology systems and is highlighted by the UK’s hydrogen strategy for its important role in decarbonisation of the transport and energy sectors.

“Decarbonisation is the most urgent task faced globally, to mitigate the climate emergency and sustain standards of living,” said Dr Afshan.

“I am extremely excited to be part of the solution.

“Fellowship on metallic hydrogen storage meets this challenge in two ways: through contributions to the decarbonisation of maritime transport, where 90% of goods travel by sea, and to the decarbonisation of energy supply, by unlocking liquefied hydrogen storage / transport.

“I look forward to working with our industrial partners, including Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, to materialise the outcomes of this research.”

Professor Stephen McLaughlin FREng FRSE, Chair of the Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships selection panel said: “The Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships are awarded to enable mid-career academics to focus on such projects while relieving them of additional workload responsibilities.

"I am very pleased to see such diversity in the topics covered by this year’s awards.”

Seven outstanding engineers were awarded for their work that benefits society and the economy in the Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowships this year.

You can read more about the other recipients here.