The UK’s prospects in liquid hydrogen (LH2) aviation could be held back by critical gaps in on-aircraft cryogenic hydrogen fuel storage, a new report from the Aerospace Technology Institute’s Hydrogen Capability Network has warned.
The report, which maps out the UK’s cryogenic and hydrogen materials testing landscape, identified a lack of mechanical, thermal, and micro/nano-scale non-destructive testing under hydrogen conditions, which are critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of LH2-powered aircraft.
Currently, only a single mechanical testing capability is being commissioned, at Cranfield University, while other testing areas remain underdeveloped.
Testing capabilities exist across several UK academic institutions and research organisations, including the National Physical Laboratory, the University of Oxford, and the UK Atomic Energy Authority. However, capacity remains limited, and expansion is needed to support the UK’s ambitions in zero-emission aviation, the report warns.
Liquid hydrogen is being explored as a future aviation fuel because it produces no carbon emissions when burned, making it a potential solution for decarbonising air travel. However, hydrogen is stored at extremely low temperatures, around minus 253°C, which can make metals and materials brittle over time.
Without proper testing, aircraft components could weaken or fail under these conditions, raising safety concerns. Expanding testing capabilities will help ensure that hydrogen-powered aircraft can be both safe and commercially viable.
“Fundamental material behaviour in cryogenic hydrogen environments is a key enabler for liquid hydrogen technologies,” the report states, adding that demand for material testing will grow as LH2-powered aircraft development progresses.
Ongoing initiatives, such as the country’s Cryogenic Hydrogen Materials Testing Standards (CHYMES) programme and infrastructure investments for liquid hydrogen research, are expected to address some of these gaps.
The Henry Royce Institute and the National Physical Laboratory are also supporting further development of testing standards and capabilities, the report noted.
The report notes that fundamental research into material behaviour at cryogenic temperatures is essential for LH2 aircraft development and that demand for such testing will only grow.
