Zero-Emission: the Next-generation of Integrated Technology for Hydrogen storage (ZENITH)
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
Commercial aviation contributes 2-3 % to global carbon emissions and the International Energy Agency has predicted that this will triple within the next three decades if no action is taken. In the UK the current contribution is 10% due to high levels of international traffic, and this could reach 40% by 2050 without action. The UK government has therefore set out an ambitious target to demonstrate a zero-carbon emission aircraft by 2030 within the UK Hydrogen and Net Zero Strategies.
The design and manufacture of aircraft has previously focused on incrementally improving structural efficiency and productivity of the semi-monocoque parts which make up the wing, fuselage and tail, with a degree of linkage between fuel tank boundaries and structural function. However, next-generation aircraft will require energy storage using fully integrated structures and materials whilst accounting for environmental impact.
GKN is the leading global Tier-one supplier of parts for most of the world's aircraft manufacturers. The University of Bath has world-leading expertise in the analysis, design and manufacture of composite parts, as well as in the creation of functional materials and their use for sustainable hydrogen energy. GKN and Bath have a track record of collaboration via a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair, eighteen joint PhDs and as formal partner in four EPSRC projects including an ongoing Programme Grant (CerTest, EP/S017038/1). Previous research has focussed in the areas of structural composites and manufacture, with most collaboration within Bath's Materials and Structures (MAST) Centre.
The ZENITH Prosperity Partnership arises from GKN's ambition to realise zero-emission aircraft in the 2030-40 timeframe and the University of Bath identifying sustainability as a priority research theme. It addresses fundamental challenges within the two major research themes of Hydrogen Storage and Sustainable Structures. It brings together a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers from MAST, the Departments of Chemical Engineering (hydrogen storage, heat transfer), Chemistry (sustainable polymers, porous materials) and Mathematical Sciences (statistical modelling). It will exploit links with leading research institutes and centres at Bath, including the Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT), the Institute for Advanced Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) and the planned UKRI Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Research.
ZENITH will establish GKN and UK academia as world leaders in manufacture of parts for zero emission aircraft, positioning the UK at the forefront of this rapidly developing market.
The design and manufacture of aircraft has previously focused on incrementally improving structural efficiency and productivity of the semi-monocoque parts which make up the wing, fuselage and tail, with a degree of linkage between fuel tank boundaries and structural function. However, next-generation aircraft will require energy storage using fully integrated structures and materials whilst accounting for environmental impact.
GKN is the leading global Tier-one supplier of parts for most of the world's aircraft manufacturers. The University of Bath has world-leading expertise in the analysis, design and manufacture of composite parts, as well as in the creation of functional materials and their use for sustainable hydrogen energy. GKN and Bath have a track record of collaboration via a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair, eighteen joint PhDs and as formal partner in four EPSRC projects including an ongoing Programme Grant (CerTest, EP/S017038/1). Previous research has focussed in the areas of structural composites and manufacture, with most collaboration within Bath's Materials and Structures (MAST) Centre.
The ZENITH Prosperity Partnership arises from GKN's ambition to realise zero-emission aircraft in the 2030-40 timeframe and the University of Bath identifying sustainability as a priority research theme. It addresses fundamental challenges within the two major research themes of Hydrogen Storage and Sustainable Structures. It brings together a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers from MAST, the Departments of Chemical Engineering (hydrogen storage, heat transfer), Chemistry (sustainable polymers, porous materials) and Mathematical Sciences (statistical modelling). It will exploit links with leading research institutes and centres at Bath, including the Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT), the Institute for Advanced Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) and the planned UKRI Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Research.
ZENITH will establish GKN and UK academia as world leaders in manufacture of parts for zero emission aircraft, positioning the UK at the forefront of this rapidly developing market.
Publications
Butler C
(2024)
Hydrogen storage capacity of freeze cast microporous monolithic composites
in Materials Advances
Butler R
(2026)
An analytical method to predict stiffener debonding in postbuckled compression panels
in Composite Structures
Butler R
(2024)
Academic research for composite aerostructures - A personal perspective
in Composites Part B: Engineering
Srisuriyachot J
(2025)
Quantification of the thermal expansion of carbon fibres in CFRP at low temperatures using X-ray diffraction
in Composites Part B: Engineering
Trenam A
(2024)
An analytical model for wrinkle-free forming of composite laminates
in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
| Description | Testing using a unique cryostat shows that the bending strength of composites doubles at 30 K. A new model for skin-stiffener debonding can be used to certify aerospace structures. The formability of laminates can be improved with non-standard fibre angles. A new CPD course in Cryogenic Engineering has been co-delivered by GKN and university staff at the UoBath. |
| Exploitation Route | In the analysis and design of composite structures for sustainable transport. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine |
| Description | According to GKN, "the fundamental research developed at the University of Bath has led to significant improvement in our manufacturing processes, providing a positive impact, not only in financial terms, but also by achieving target productivity and enabling zero tolerance to defects during manufacturing, in line with our corporate strategy. We anticipate new innovations leading to new business opportunities as we collaborate with Bath as core partners in our new Global Technology Centre." The ZENITH Prosperity Partnership is creating new capability to characterise materials for application in future hydrogen-fuelled aircraft and for analysis-based certification. GKN is supporting a unique CPD course on cryogenic engineering at Bath [add weblink https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/cryo-cryogenic-engineering-for-sustainable-flight/]. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Transport |
| Impact Types | Cultural Economic |
| Description | Advanced Structural Product Integrated Airframe (ASPIRE) |
| Amount | £792,207 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ZR-2410690 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2025 |
| End | 03/2028 |
| Description | Multi-Application BONDing (MABOND) |
| Amount | £603,643 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ZR-2309643 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2024 |
| End | 06/2027 |
| Title | Formability model for large composite parts |
| Description | A compatibility index was created to assess the effect of layer stacking sequence on the formability of laminates and the use of non-standard fibre angles (NSAs) was demonstrated to significantly improve formability at large wing spar scale compared with standard angle laminates. An analytical model, capturing size effects, was developed for use in preliminary design of formable NSA laminates . |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The GKN-Bath ATI project ASPIRE will demonstrate use of NSA laminates to improve performance, productivity and certification of composite products in a folding wing-tip structure and a wing flap. ASPIRE targets a global market worth more than £43Bn. Upon success and adoption, it will facilitate increase UK market share and deliver significant workforce capability increase to support 2050 net zero goals. Processes will be developed to ensure industrialization requirements are de-risked, through deployment of representative equipment for critical process steps within the context of a future facility through simulation. In this way the project supports "future wing manufacturing and industrialisation", whilst also enabling product improvements that contribute directly to improved aircraft efficiency on the path to zero emissions. |