Revolutionizing Aviation: Collaborative Effort to Develop Hydrogen-Powered Jet Engines
Key Ideas
  • Leading UK universities collaborate with industry giants to develop hydrogen-powered jet engines for net-zero emissions by 2050.
  • The project aims to replace conventional aviation fuel with hydrogen for zero carbon mid-range commercial flights.
  • Partners like Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and Boeing support the program with funded studentships and testing facilities, nurturing future aerospace leaders.
  • EPSRC recognizes the potential of hydrogen-powered technology to revolutionize aviation and is committed to supporting this groundbreaking research.
Loughborough University is teaming up with Oxford University, Imperial College London, and King's College London to pioneer the development of hydrogen-powered jet engines. With funding from the EPSRC, the £9.5 million project targets achieving net-zero emissions in aviation by 2050. By focusing on the use of cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) as fuel for gas turbines, the initiative seeks to leverage hydrogen's carbon-neutral combustion properties to revolutionize sustainable aviation. The research consortium envisions a future where hydrogen replaces traditional aviation fuel, enabling carbon-neutral mid-range commercial flights. Professor Jon Carrotte, leading the work at Loughborough's National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology, emphasizes the importance of this project in decarbonizing jet engines to propel the aviation sector towards net zero flight. EPSRC's Head of Engineering, Dr. Andy Lawrence, underscores the significance of hydrogen-powered technology for the UK's engineering sector and global decarbonization efforts. The collaboration extends beyond academia, with industry heavyweights like Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and Boeing providing crucial support through funded studentships, guidance, and testing infrastructure. The involvement of over 12 studentships across the universities ensures a robust foundation for training future aerospace leaders. This groundbreaking project, spearheaded by the University of Oxford, signifies a bold step towards a sustainable aviation future powered by hydrogen.
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