AUTONEWS

Researchers demonstrate hydrogen as a viable aviation fuel

Researchers from Swansea University are celebrating their role in a major aviation milestone following the successful completion of a four-year international program led by Rolls-Royce and easyJet to demonstrate hydrogen as a viable aviation fuel. The program has culminated in a world-first achievement: a modern aero engine running on 100% hydrogen at full takeoff power, proving the potential of hydrogen to play a transformative role in future zero-carbon aviation.

Swansea University provided critical materials data to support the development of hydrogen-fueled gas turbines as a core partner in the HYEST (Hydrogen Engine System Technologies) initiative.

As part of the project, Swansea's Institute of Structural Materials (ISM) established new world-class mechanical testing capabilities in two areas previously unexplored by the research group:

-cryogenic temperatures

-high-pressure hydrogen environments

These facilities were developed through close collaboration between the ISM and the university's Steel and Metals Institute (SAMI).

The new capabilities allow researchers to replicate the extreme conditions hydrogen-fueled engines must withstand, generating essential data for safe and efficient engine design.

Professor Mark Whittaker, director of the Institute of Structural Materials (ISM) and the Rolls-Royce University Technology Center (UTC) in Materials at Swansea University, said, "ISM is an internationally recognized research center specializing in mechanical testing in high-temperature environments.

Credits: Rolls-Royce plc 2026

"SAMI brought complementary expertise in working with challenging industrial gases such as hydrogen, enabling us to create truly unique facilities. These have generated extensive data to support the development of hydrogen-based gas turbines.

"Our close relationship with Rolls-Royce has created an environment where laboratory-scale mechanical characterization can directly inform how materials behave in a hydrogen-fueled engine."

The Swansea team's contribution forms a vital part of the broader industry effort to accelerate the transition to zero-carbon aviation technologies.

Louise Gale, materials specialist at Rolls-Royce, said, "The testing program at NASA Stennis represents the culmination of a comprehensive, global program that set out to prove that hydrogen can safely and efficiently deliver power for aerospace engines. The Rolls-Royce program followed an incremental, technology-led approach to prove the fundamental technologies, including materials.

"Swansea was a clear choice as a partner for the HYEST program, building on our strong relationship developed through many successful previous collaborations on materials testing and characterization.

"The development of hydrogen-fueled engines requires novel materials test capability to validate material behavior in hydrogen environments. The test capability developed by Swansea has allowed us to generate key materials data to support component design and safety assessments."

Provided by Swansea University