The work is taking place at Element Hitchin (formerly MERL), the UK laboratory of materials testing company Element. The HOST (Hydrogen – Optimisation of Storage and Transfer) project is part-funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board (UK TSB). The other project partners are EPL Composite Solutions, Crompton Mouldings, JRE Precision (Presreg Valves) and Jonam Composites Ltd. HOST encompasses the design and development of an efficient automated filament winding and advanced fibre tape placement facility, as well as the development of thermoplastic prepreg tapes.
This is the second UK TSB project undertaken by Element Hitchin in this area. It was part of the Durastor project to develop a monolithic hydrogen storage vessel based on a thermoplastic liner with a filament wound composite outer layer.
Element’s involvement with the HOST project, which has a total project budget of £1 million, will last two years.
