About the project
This project explores advanced stainless steels for safe and efficient liquid hydrogen (LH₂) storage in future zero-emission maritime transport. Focusing on their behaviour under extreme cryogenic and hydrogen environments, the research will uncover mechanisms controlling strength, ductility, and degradation, guiding the development of durable materials for next-generation hydrogen energy infrastructure.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050, supported by the adoption of alternative zero and near-zero carbon fuels by 2030. Green hydrogen is expected to play a pivotal role in this transition, enabling Zero Emission Vessels (ZEVs) and supporting the UK Government’s Hydrogen Strategy (2021), which envisions offshore hydrogen production and bulk transportation in liquefied form. However, a critical barrier to implementation lies in the lack of validated design data, material standards and regulatory frameworks for liquid hydrogen (LH₂) storage systems in maritime environments.
This project will investigate the mechanical performance and degradation mechanisms of advanced stainless steels used for LH₂ storage tanks operating between 20-33 K. It will focus on understanding how cryogenic temperature, hydrogen exposure, and microstructural evolution interact to influence strength, ductility, and fracture resistance. Particular attention will be given to phase stability, hydrogen-assisted deformation, and strain-induced martensitic transformation. The outcomes will provide essential material data and mechanistic understanding to support the safe design and certification of hydrogen containment systems for shipping and wider hydrogen infrastructure.
You'll gain expertise in advanced mechanical testing, cryogenic material characterisation, and hydrogen safety protocols, benefiting from access to state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Southampton’s National Infrastructure Laboratory and collaborating industry partners in the hydrogen and maritime sectors.
