This project will start in October 2025.

The aerospace sector is at a pivotal point in its drive towards Net Zero emissions by 2050. The Aerospace Technology Institute FlyZero report concluded that green liquid hydrogen is the most viable zero-carbon emission fuel with the potential to scale to larger aircraft. However, knowledge gaps were identified regarding materials data for cryogenic service conditions and understanding their long-term durability for fatigue, fracture and corrosion. Without this data, designs and hardware cannot be verified as fit for service. 

This project is based at the University of Strathclyde and will address this challenge by building  on a collaboration between the Universities of Strathclyde and Cranfield and leading aerospace manufacturers, bringing about a step change for medium to large scale storage and transportation of cryogenic hydrogen for Net Zero aviation. Leveraging the commercial partner’s proven market presence, novel metal matrix composites (MMCs) manufacturing with the technology and research capability of Strathclyde and Cranfield, they will work together to manufacture novel materials, build knowledge on the long term performance of these materials in extreme application conditions, whilst creating additional expertise, experience and skills required for the integration of new technology within the aviation sector. 

An understanding of the microstructure, interface properties and long-term structural performance of the novel technologies for cryogenic applications will be developed, whilst collaboration with the industrial partners will ensure route to market. This understanding will enable the partners to bring cutting-edge materials and manufacturing of airport and on-aircraft storage tanks to market quicker, contributing to a breakthrough for UK competitiveness in achieving Net Zero aviation by 2050.  

Through this project, you will develop highly valuable expertise in hydrogen-material interactions, aerospace infrastructure design, and advanced experimental techniques, critical skills required for the growing hydrogen-powered aviation industry. Collaborating closely with all partners, interdisciplinary teams and fellow students, each CDT student will benefit from structured modular training, significant industry engagement, and access to world-class experimental facilities. They will gain hands-on experience in materials characterisation, fatigue testing, hydrogen permeation analysis, and numerical modelling, equipping them to become an effective and innovative leader in sustainable aviation. 
Graduates of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation will emerge with a unique interdisciplinary skillset, deep industry insights, and a commitment to sustainability, fully prepared to drive the decarbonisation of aviation in diverse careers spanning industry, academia, government, and policymaking. They will be equipped with a unique interdisciplinary combination of technical and professional skills, gained through extensive cohort-based training and cross-university collaborations. By engaging with diverse academic and industry partners across Cranfield, Strathclyde, and Cardiff Universities, and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the wider aviation ecosystem.

Further information

You'll become part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team that prioritises equity, diversity, and inclusion, gaining specialist expertise in hydrogen-material interactions, aerospace materials, and sustainable infrastructure design. Your research will directly support the UK's ambition to achieve Net Zero aviation by 2050, positioning you as a skilled innovator and inclusive leader in hydrogen-powered aviation technologies. 

The project forms part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Net Zero Aviation, offering an integrated, multidisciplinary training programme focused on innovation, collaboration, and inclusive leadership. As part of an annual cohort, you’ll benefit from world-class training facilities across various universities and industrial settings, engaging with experts and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Based at the University of Strathclyde, a leading international technological University for impactful research, the project will leverage the commercial partner’s manufacturing innovation with state-of-the-art testing facilities and extensive expertise in materials science. The industrial sponsor, is a leading aerospace manufacturing company actively working towards Net Zero solutions, providing unique industrial insights and direct alignment with real-world hydrogen infrastructure challenges.