Hydrogen Research
Group for Innovation in Hydrogen Research and Sustainability (iHRS)
The Group for Innovation in Hydrogen Research and Sustainability (iHRS) is a research group founded and led by Dr Ashwath Pazhani at the University of Cumbria. The group focuses on advancing sustainable hydrogen technologies, advanced materials, and manufacturing innovation to support Net Zero infrastructure, clean energy transition, and industrial decarbonisation.
iHRS brings together expertise in materials science, mechanical engineering, hydrogen technologies, additive manufacturing, circular economy, computational modelling, AI/ML-assisted materials development, and sustainability assessment. The group aims to develop practical, scalable, and sustainable engineering solutions for hydrogen storage, transport, distribution, and end-use applications.
The group’s research is particularly focused on the design and development of lightweight, durable, recyclable, and hydrogen-compatible materials for future energy systems. This includes graphene-reinforced aluminium-lithium metal matrix composites, high-entropy alloys, circular composite materials, hydrogen embrittlement-resistant materials, and advanced manufacturing approaches for complex and high-performance components.
iHRS also supports interdisciplinary collaboration with universities, industry partners, research organisations, public-sector bodies, and regional stakeholders. The group is committed to translating research into impact through collaborative projects, funding proposals, industrial engagement, public outreach, doctoral training, postdoctoral research, and skills development.
Core Research Themes
Advanced Materials for Hydrogen Technologies
Hydrogen Embrittlement and Materials Durability
Sustainable and Circular Composite Materials
Additive Manufacturing and Digital Materials Qualification
Net Zero Manufacturing and Sustainability Assessment
Public Engagement, Skills and Outreach
Collaboration and Partnerships
The Group for Innovation in Hydrogen Research and Sustainability (iHRS) welcomes collaboration with academic institutions, industry, public-sector organisations, research bodies, and regional innovation networks.
Current and developing areas of collaboration include:
- Hydrogen storage, transport and distribution
- Advanced materials for Net Zero infrastructure
- Additive manufacturing for energy, defence, nuclear and healthcare applications
- Materials testing, modelling and digital qualification
- Circular economy and sustainable composite materials
- AI/ML for materials discovery and manufacturing optimisation
- Public engagement, STEM outreach and skills development
Dr Pazhani’s research activities involve collaboration with academic and industrial partners including universities, regional innovation networks, and organisations across the energy, defence, nuclear, healthcare and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The Group for Innovation in Hydrogen Research and Sustainability (iHRS) is actively open to expressions of interest from prospective Postdoctoral Researchers, PhD students, visiting researchers, and research fellows.
Prospective applicants with backgrounds in materials science, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, hydrogen technologies, computational modelling, sustainability assessment, AI/ML, or related disciplines are encouraged to contact Dr Ashwath Pazhani to discuss potential PhD, postdoctoral, fellowship, visiting researcher, and collaborative project opportunities.
Potential research areas include:
- Advanced materials for hydrogen storage and transport
- Graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites
- Hydrogen embrittlement and materials degradation
- Circular composite materials and recycled reinforcements
- Additive manufacturing of high-performance materials
- AI/ML-assisted materials discovery and optimisation
- Computational modelling and finite element analysis
- Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis
- Net Zero manufacturing and sustainable materials engineering
- Materials for energy, defence, nuclear and healthcare applications