Modular Additive Manufacturing for Next-generation Hydrogen Storage

紧凑型储氢是氢动力汽车面临的主要挑战，目前最先进的储氢容器太大，并且在危险的高压下运行。固态金属氢化物（MH）可以在更小的体积和更低的压力下储存大量的氢。然而，MH商店还没有进入市场，因为还没有开发出合适的容器。该项目将研究设计和制造一种新型紧凑型MH储存容器- S型容器。它将执行多种功能，包括热管理（由于放热和吸热充电和放电循环）和MH床呼吸（由于MH在循环时膨胀和收缩）。为了满足这些要求，该项目将以一种全新的方式使用金属增材制造（AM），使用单独的网格子组件或模块连接在一起创建船舶内部。到项目结束时，学生将成功地展示这种用于MH存储应用的新设计和制造方法。学生将研究这种模块化制造方法，结合AM加工和计量，数值建模（例如，有限元分析）和组件级测试（例如，微观结构分析，接头强度和泄漏测试）。他们将获得与现代设计和分析技术以及制造和材料科学相关的广泛技能和知识。

Compact hydrogen storage is a major challenge for hydrogen powered vehicles, with current state-of-the-art storage vessels being too large and operating at dangerously high pressures. Solid state metal hydrides (MH) can store large quantities of hydrogen in much smaller volumes and at lower pressure. However, MH stores have not made it to market because suitable vessels have not yet been developed. This project will investigate the design and manufacture of a new type of compact MH storage vessel - the Type S vessel. It will perform multiple functions, including heat management (due to exothermic and endothermic charging and discharging cycles), and MH bed breathing (due to MH expansion and contraction whilst cycling). To address these requirements, the project will use metal additive manufacturing (AM) in an entirely new way, using individual latticed sub-components, or modules, which are joined together to create the vessel interior. By the end of the project, the student will have successfully demonstrated this new design and manufacturing approach for MH storage applications. The student will investigate this modular manufacturing approach with a combination of AM processing and metrology, numerical modelling (e.g., finite element analysis), and component-level testing (e.g., microstructure analysis, joint strength and leak testing). They will gain a broad set of skills and knowledge relevant to modern design and analysis techniques, as well as manufacturing and materials science.