Loughborough University is collaborating with academics from Oxford University, Imperial College London, and King’s College London to develop hydrogen-powered jet engines.
The £9.5m project, backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), aims to transform aviation by achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The team will tackle critical scientific challenges associated with using cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) as fuel for gas turbines. Hydrogen is seen as pivotal for the future of sustainable aviation because it produces no carbon emissions when combusted, emitting only water.
The projects vision is to replace conventional aviation fuel with hydrogen, thereby making mid-range commercial flights zero carbon. This programme will lay the fundamental scientific groundwork to realise that vision.
At Loughborough the work will be led by professor Jon Carrotte and the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology. Speaking about the project he said: “The team at NCCAT are delighted to be part of this new ambitious research programme that will build on our existing hydrogen knowledge base.
“In collaboration with our partners at Oxford, Imperial, and King’s College we look forward to developing Hydrogen as one of the potential future fuels to decarbonise jet engines that power the aviation sector in the ongoing pursuit to achieve net zero flight.”
The programme also benefits from support and collaboration from key industry and international partners, including Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Honeywell, Zeroavia, Boeing, Parker Hannifin and the European Space Agency.
The partners will provide direct contributions such as funded studentships, valuable industrial guidance, and critical testing facilities. Across the universities involved, more than 12 studentships are being supported, significantly enhancing training opportunities for future aerospace leaders.
The project is being led by the University of Oxford.
