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| Reference Number | UKRI562 | |
| Title | Transforming mobility power by dedicated high-efficiency and zero emission hydrogen combustion engines | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Energy Efficiency (Transport) 40%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Hydrogen, Hydrogen end uses (incl. combustion; excl. fuel cells)) 50%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Hydrogen, Hydrogen storage) 10%; |
|
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 30%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 70%; |
|
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Hua Zhao Brunel University London |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 April 2025 | |
| End Date | 01 April 2028 | |
| Duration | 36 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £1,043,195 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Unknown | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Business Partnerships Fund | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Hua Zhao , Brunel University London |
| Other Investigator | Changzhao Jiang , Brunel University London Xinyan Wang , Brunel University London |
|
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | The UK Government has set out ambitious net zero target by 2050. Though battery electric vehicles (BEV) can achieve zero carbon emissions locally, there are concerns around high capital cost, limited charging infrastructure, range anxiety, weight, size, and durability of batteries. In particular, they are not suited for heavy vehicles, marine vessels and aviation, as well as non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) for agriculture, mining and construction. To achieve the ambitious net zero targets, alternative net-zero technologies need to be researched, developed, and implemented. The need for green fuels is widely accepted for such applications, with policy efforts in this direction driven by both national and international organisations, for mitigating climate change as well as building energy security. Among green fuels, hydrogen (H2) is recognised by the IEA as the most appropriate energy storage and energy carrier for long-term energy storage and transport. Therefore, many countries, including UK, Europe, US, and Japan, have been exploring the potential of hydrogen and have taken steps towards developing a hydrogen economy. The UK plans to meet an estimated 2035% of its energy needs through hydrogen. As a zero-carbon fuel, hydrogen can be used in combustion engines. Over the last few years, significant interest and effort have been invested in demonstrating the use of hydrogen in combustion engines for various applications. This Prosperity Partnership provides excellent opportunity to further collaborations between Brunel, AIE and MAHLE Powertrain on developing dedicated ultra-high efficiency and zero emission hydrogen engines. The proposed collaboration will make use of the comprehensive experimental and modelling facilities and capabilities for hydrogen combustion engine research at Brunel University London. It will build on the existing successful collaborations between the University and the two industrial partners. Through this partnership, Brunel will further strengthen its research capacity and capability on hydrogen engines, and deliver social and economic impact by transferring the knowledge into product development and commercialisation by AIE and MAHLE Powertrain. The partnership is of key strategic important to AIE and MAHLE Powertrain, and enables them keep technological advantage against their competitors for sustainable market growth. The proposed collaboration will enable AIE to develop demonstrable H2 rotary engine technology that is now being requested by potential customers and provide MAHLE Powertrain with the analytical tools for their engineering consultancy business. Additionally, the Prosperity Partnership will enable the transfer of advanced material and engineering technologies from automotive piston engines by MAHLE Powertrain to the development of advanced rotary engines by AIE. Furthermore, the prosperity partnership will help to train the next generation of engineers who will be essential for the development ofzero-carbon engine technologies by the industrial partners and beyond. Through the close collaborations between Brunel, AIE and MAHLE Powertrain, the developed hydrogen combustion engines will decarbonise vehicles, marine vessels, NRMM and aircrafts at a much lower cost basis and the energy supply infrastructure scales with the existing established supply chain, enabling a faster and more sustainable transition towards net zero | |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 29/10/25 | |
