In our quest for cleaner energy, hydrogen stands out as a leading candidate. It's clean and efficient; when used, its only byproduct is water. However, there's a challenge: hydrogen can make the steel brittle, a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement (HE). In this project, we are developing new ways to treat the surface of steels, used for hydrogen transport and storage, to make them resistant to the undesired HE effect. Our approach achieves a double-layered defense to ‘hydrogen attack'. First, we use surface nanocrystallization techniques to make the surface layer dense and hard. Then, we add a topmost oxide layer that is compact and flawless via a carefully designed laser oxidation process. Acting as a strong protective ‘armor', the treated surface can keep hydrogen out and maintain the steel components' strength, integrity, and safety. It's about building steel-involved infrastructure that can safely hydrogen, paving the way for the transition to a ‘green hydrogen economy'.

2024

2028