Introduction
The Hydrogen Energy Initiative (HEI), recently established at the TUS, brings together a multidisciplinary team of doctoral researchers, engineers, and professors focused on advancing hydrogen-based solutions for a sustainable energy future. Recognizing hydrogen as an energy carrier in the global transition to low-carbon energy systems, the group is committed to addressing pressing energy and environmental challenges through applied research, innovation, and industry collaboration. The HEI explores a broad spectrum of hydrogen economy including production from renewable sources, solid-state hydrogen storage and fuel cells. By combining experimental research, materials development, and computational modeling, the group aims to accelerate breakthroughs in hydrogen science and promote real-world deployment of clean energy systems. HEI also works closely with industrial partners and academic collaborators to promote knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
Aims and Objectives
Aims:
- To establish TUS as a center of excellence in hydrogen research and innovation.
- To contribute to the global clean energy transition through cutting-edge hydrogen technologies.
- To support the climate goals of Ireland and the EU by accelerating Hydrogen Economy.
- To strengthen collaboration with industry stakeholders and contribute to the development of solutions to environmental challenges across various sectors..
Objectives:
- Advance fundamental and applied research in hydrogen production, storage, and end user application.
- Design and synthesis novel materials and systems for solid-state hydrogen storage with enhanced safety and efficiency.
- Integrate Artificial Intelligence and modeling tools for rapid materials discovery and system optimization.
- Promote collaboration with academia, industry, and policy makers to facilitate real-world impact.
- Offer educational and outreach activities to raise awareness and build capacity in hydrogen technologies.
- Secure research funding and build partnerships to support long-term sustainable innovation.
Projects
- Revolutionising Hydrogen Storage: Development of a Polymer Composite Material with Enhanced Mechanical Properties and High Hydrogen Storage Capacity Using Artificial Neural Networks-Assisted Design
- Advancing Environmentally Friendly Solid-State Hydrogen Storage through AI enhanced Multi-scale Modelling
- Novel method for microplastic detection in Shannon (Ireland) and Zambezi (Zambia) using spectroscopy and deep learning
- Digitalisation and Sustainability in Energy: Empowering Students with Material Characterisation, Multiscale Modelling and AI Skills. (SATLE)
Our Researchers
Dr. Amit Haldar – Lecturer and Lead Investigator of HEI
Dr. Amit Haldar is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Shannon (TUS) and the Lead Investigator of the Hydrogen Energy Innovation (HEI) research group. He serves as both the primary mentor and administrative lead for HEI at TUS, while also supervising multiple PhD and Master’s students. His research focuses on lightweight and innovative materials, including energy-absorbing polymer composites and Hydrogen alloys. He has publications in leading journals such as Composites Part B, Composite Structures, Polymer Testing, Journal of Sandwich Structures and Materials, and Materials Today Communications. His expertise in materials science and composites strongly supports research in solid-state hydrogen storage, encompassing both physisorption- and chemisorption-based materials.
Dr. Haldar is currently a lecturer and a former postdoctoral researcher under the prestigious Marie Curie Career-FIT Fellowship. He has several years of postdoctoral experience, including roles as a materials scientist in industry, which affirms his expertise in composite-based hydrogen storage technologies. He has secured approximately €1 million in competitive research funding, including a 2024 grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for clean energy systems, a 2024 New Foundations Award from the Irish Research Council for research on microplastic pollution, the 2023 President’s Fellowship at TUS, and funding from the European Regional Development Fund for sustainable hydrogen storage materials. Dr. Haldar’s leadership in securing funding, combined with active collaborations with industries and universities in Ireland and abroad, ensures continued progress toward a sustainable and green energy future.
Dr. Miroslaw Mrzyglod – Research Lead and Contributing Staff
Dr. Miroslaw Mrzyglod was awarded a PhD (2005) and Doctor of Science degree (2014) in Mechanical Engineering from the Cracow University of Technology. His research is in Multiaxial Fatigue, Multidisciplinary Design Optimization, Biomechanics and Artificial Intelligence. He is lecturer in the Department of Mechanical & Automobile Engineering of TUS University. Prior to joining academia Miroslaw Mrzyglod worked for five years as a Manufacturing Engineer and three years as a CAD Design Engineer. He is Member of the Optimization Section of the Committee on Mechanics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Polish Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO), and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Mohammad Altaf – Doctoral Researcher
Mohammad Altaf is a dedicated Doctoral Researcher at TUS, specializing in solid-state hydrogen storage through advanced polymer-hydride composites and AI integration. He holds an M.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar and a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), both with strong academic credentials. His experience includes working as a Process Engineer in the solar cell industry and serving as a Tutor and Research Assistant at TUS. He has received recognition for his research, winning the “Thesis-in-Three” award at TUS Research Week 2025 and earning runner-up in a RUN-EU poster competition. Altaf also qualified for the prestigious GATE Fellowship with a 97.09 percentile, reflecting his commitment to sustainable energy research and innovation.
Jaychandra Maurya – Doctoral Researcher
Jaychandra Maurya is an enthusiastic PhD candidate at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), focusing on the advancement of environmentally friendly solid-state hydrogen storage through AI-enhanced multiscale modelling. He holds an M.Tech from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Warangal and a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT), Gorakhpur, both earned with strong academic distinction.
His professional background includes experience as a Design Engineer at Volta Engineering Design and as a Research Assistant at TUS. Jaychandra has been recognized for his research contributions, having participated in the “Thesis-in-Three” competition during TUS Research Week 2025 and the RUN-EU Poster Competition. He is also a qualified recipient of the prestigious GATE Fellowship, underscoring his dedication to research in sustainable energy technologies. In addition, he presented his work on modelling at an International Conference hosted by NIT Warangal in March 2024, further demonstrating his active engagement with the global research community.
