Institute for Engineering and Technology Innovation (InETI) postgraduate student Ahmad’s fascination with hydrogen began early in his life, driven by its potential as a sustainable and clean fuel for the future.
"My research will help the oil manufacturers to produce engine oil that is compatible for vehicles running on Hydrogen."
— Ahmad, postgraduate student
This lifelong interest led him to embark on a research project focused on the use of hydrogen in internal combustion engines (ICEs). Ahmad explains: “My interest in hydrogen as a fuel for the future motivated me to start this journey. I started with a research project on this topic, which made me more interested to dig deep into it.”
Ahmad's research is centred on the novel application of hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines. His goal is to understand how hydrogen integration impacts engine lubricants' performance and longevity. Specifically, Ahmad is investigating: The effects of hydrogen on engines and lubricant properties such as engine surface characteristics, the water content in viscosity of lubricants and the changes in viscosity of lubricants when hydrogen is introduced.
Ahmad employed a comprehensive and rigorous approach to his research, including literature reviews, data collection, sampling, testing, analysis, modelling, and simulation. Ahmad’s preliminary findings indicate that introducing hydrogen into an internal combustion engine affects the water percentage and alters the lubricant's viscosity, potentially impacting engine performance.
Ahmad believes that these findings could significantly impact the production of engine oils, Ahmad said: “My research will help the oil manufacturers to produce engine oil that is compatible for vehicles running on Hydrogen”.
Ahmad, recently awarded First Prize for his research poster at the recent Research and Knowledge Exchange Festival, also believes his research journey has been enriched through industry collaborations with partners such as Castrol, SGS, ULEMCo, Aberdeen Council and Loughborough University.
He has also recently published his first paper at a conference in Spain and is currently working on a journal paper to share his findings with the broader scientific community. His work aims to contribute to the advancement of hydrogen fuel technology and its integration into everyday transportation.
