RESEARCH NEWS
‘ Hydrogen Age ’ motorcycle demonstrator
If one kilogramme of hydrogen allows for approximately 100km of range in a car , a hydrogen tank for an electric motorcycle could also fit within the limited space of its design . A more challenging task is integrating a complete fuel cell system ( which converts onboard hydrogen into electrical energy ) into the frame construction .
A German-Czech consortium of research institutions and manufacturing companies is now taking on this challenge , By the end of 2025 , they will construct a fully functional motorcycle as a demonstrator that complies with strict European approval standards and certification requirements .
“ The hydrogen-powered bike aims to serve as inspiration for the future of mobility . Due to its agility and compactness , the two-wheeler
Image : © WätaS Wärmetauscher Sachsen GmbH . is of interest to urban delivery services and package couriers . It enables CO₂-neutral mobility and contributes to the reduction of noise emissions . The advantage over batteryelectric solutions is in the higher range with shorter refuelling times ,” explained Fraunhofer IWU ( Germany ).
In the Hydrocycle project , Czech partners are working on vehicle development , advancing work packages related to vehicle structure , ergonomics and packaging ( fitting the technology into the available space ).
German project partners are focusing
A stack from WätaS forms the basis for the development of the fuel cell system in the Hydrocycle .
Project partner , ČVUT , has substantial experience in the construction of motorcycles with alternative propulsion systems .
on the powertrain . WätaS Wärmetauscher Sachsen GmbH is developing a new generation of fuel cell stacks as the basis for the powertrain ; Fraunhofer IWU supports the development of new manufacturing technologies and the improvement of stack functionalities with the Reference Factory H2 . The Chemnitz research institute is also responsible for system dimensioning and packaging . The IWU is also charged with ensuring a smooth interface between vehicle and fuel cell system development .
“ Hydrocycle aligns with the European Union ’ s hydrogen strategy . EU regulations envision a significant role for hydrogen from renewable sources in the transportation sector from 2030 onwards , aiming for the Union to become climate-neutral by 2050 . The project partners Fraunhofer IWU ; WätaS Wärmetauscher Sachsen GmbH ( Olbernhau ); 1to1design ( Prague ); Czech Technical University ( ČVUT , Prague ), and ÚJV Řež ( Husinec ) are responding to a call for joint Czech-Saxon projects in sustainable mobility and transportation systems for people and goods ,” concluded Fraunhofer IWU . n
www . iwu . fraunhofer . de / en
Image : © ČVUT Czech Technical University .
Hussain elected Fellow of ASM International
A professor of engineering from the University of Nottingham , and an EPSRC ( Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ) Research Fellow , has been elected as a Fellow of ASM International , the world ’ s largest association of materials-centric engineers and scientists .
Tanvir Hussain .
Tanvir Hussain , Professor of Coatings and Surface Engineering at the University of Nottingham ( UK ), was awarded the fellowship “ for sustained and significant contribution to the advancement of the fundamental science in cold spray and suspension spraying , and unwavering commitment to the education of students in the materials field .”
In 2021 , Tanvir and his colleagues set up a Centre of Excellence in Coatings and Surface Engineering with multimillion-pound investment from EPSRC , Innovate UK and direct industry funding . His career has focused on developing new advanced coating technologies and understanding their processing and properties relationships for cleaner , greener aerospace and power generation . Tanvir is also the Co-Director of EPSRC Network + IGNITE to increase diversity in energy research to solve grand challenges facing communities .
“ In 2015 , with Innovate UK funding , he introduced suspension thermal spray where nanomaterials in a slurry can be injected in a supersonic combustion flame to produce coatings with properties never before achieved . His work laid the foundation of the field , and as a result , new groups emerged in Germany , Italy , Finland and India . To expand this theme , in 2020 , he established the UK ’ s only Suspension Plasma Spray ( SPS ) facility which uses nanoparticle suspension to produce a strain-tolerant columnar microstructure ,” said the University of Nottingham . n
28 | ismr . net | ISMR October 2024