Collaborative R&D Competitions

Cummins – Unity – Optimised reliability and performance of hydrogen-fuelled powertrain products: Digital Materials Science Tool Development

Developing a digital analysis tool to enable the design of highly reliable and durable components used in hydrogen-fuelled powertrains.  

Project Unity aims to speed up product introduction, reduce development costs, and improve the end product for customers. By enhancing the durability of critical sub-systems in hydrogen engines and fuel cells, it supports the shift towards zero-carbon powertrains, aligning with Automotive Council roadmaps and advancing the transition from diesel ICE in both on-highway and off-highway applications. 

Key highlights   

  • Enabling the prediction and mitigation of component failure when exposed to new and unique hydrogen related environments. 
  • The digital tool will be developed using a mixed-fidelity machine learning approach that considers key failure modes such as hydrogen effects, water droplet erosion, and structural integrity. 
  • This tool will be applied to subsystems such as fuel cell (FC) turbine wheels and Hydrogen-ICE turbine housings, supported by advanced simulations. 
  • Total project value £4.8 million, £2.4 million funded by the Department for Business and Trade through the APC. 

 

Project consortium 

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