The Gleeble 3800 with its unique enhancements is a specialist piece of equipment worth over £1.6 million. This particular Gleeble will be a specialist piece of equipment and the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, putting the University at the forefront of materials engineering research. It will have specific attachments for cryogenic quenching, ultra-high sustained temperature testing, and laser ultrasonics.
The Wolfson X-Lab Extreme will be a crucial step for a sustainable hydrogen economy in the UK. The procurement of this testing equipment will help accelerate and spearhead UK research in this sector, including materials development for hydrogen storage, distribution and transport.
The new facility will directly address current limitations and bridge knowledge gaps. The equipment will enable the observation of materials and their behaviour at the smallest of scales in-situ in real-time when subjected to extremes long-term.
Materials testing for designing, manufacturing and maintaining new and existing hydrogen storage, distribution and end-use application infrastructure is essential to achieving the UK’s vision and ambitious net zero targets. The Gleeble will help the University to do just that.
The demands of liquid and gas hydrogen mean storage material must be ultra-light, able to sustain very high pressures, be leak-free, have high structural integrity, and withstand extremes of temperature. Understanding the long-term reliability of materials in these settings is imperative, particularly for components in fuel cells, hydrogen internal combustion engines, pipelines, valves, compressors, and pumps.
Professor Anish Roy from the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering (MEME), and Professor Karen Coopman from the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering (AACME), are both Associate Deans for Research and Innovation and co-project leads for the new facility.
In a joint comment, Professors Roy and Coopman said:
“Thanks to the foundation’s support, the establishment of the Wolfson X-Lab Extreme will be a great opportunity that builds on our longstanding expertise in materials science research including characterisation, computational modelling, design and component manufacture across our Schools.
“It will enable much needed materials discovery and research to support next generation hydrogen storage and distribution solutions, research in space science, fusion materials and cryogenics. We welcome participation from wider academic, industrial collaborators and research organisations to help drive research and innovation globally.”
Moving forward with the inception of the Wolfson X-Lab Extreme, their work will ensure the activities and opportunities emanating from the use of the new facility are maximised through academic partners and industry, leading to tangible societal benefit.
The new lab will be open within the Wolfson School of MEME to external collaborators through a booking process online, enabling access for students, researchers, and scientists across academia and industry, while promoting unique skillsets in the next generation of engineers.
Professor Dan Parsons, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, recognises how this new facility will play a pivotal role in the advancement of Loughborough’s clean energy research. He added:
"I am delighted to welcome the announcement of the Wolfson X-Lab Extreme facility, made possible through the Wolfson Foundation’s generous grant.
This lab is not only a game-changer for clean energy research but also a testament to Loughborough's commitment to addressing global challenges through innovation. It will foster collaboration across academia and industry, inspire the next generation of engineers, and solidify our reputation as a hub for world-leading materials research. We are deeply grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for their continued support and vision in enabling transformational research with real societal impact."
In addition to research around hydrogen, the lab will aid university ambitions to contribute to Fusion Energy Engineering in the UK. The facility can simulate the physical response of fusion materials at extremes of thermos-mechanical loading, generating valuable experimental data which will feed into constitutive models for advanced reactor design and manufacturing.
The cryogenic module in the Gleeble will also help in designing components for space applications, such as in rocket tank design to store liquid hydrogen, ensuring it is lightweight, robust and reusable.
Its many uses and potential benefits are thanks to the generous grant and support that the University has received.
The Wolfson Foundation has supported the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering (MEME) at Loughborough University for 25 years. During that time, there has been important research in Manufacturing Engineering, Sports Technology, and Renewable Energy Engineering.
Laura Hutchinson, Acting Director of Philanthropy, Alumni and Supporter Engagement, said:
“We are so grateful for the Wolfson Foundation’s latest grant and for the continuing and generous support here at Loughborough. We were delighted to receive the news that the application had been successful, and we look forward to keeping the Foundation updated on the impact. The Wolfson Foundation has and continues to make a significant difference to the research and teaching activities undertaken across the University and I would like to thank them on behalf of everyone involved.”
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts.
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said:
“The School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough is leading the way in developing and testing new materials that can withstand extremes of temperature and pressure. These materials will have a crucial role to play in accelerating the transition towards low-carbon energy and transport systems. We are delighted to help the University to acquire specialist equipment for the Wolfson X-Lab Extreme to support their research.”
Loughborough University previously received a £2.5 million grant to build the Wolfson School of MEME in 1998/9. The University has also received a number of other grants from the Foundation in the last few decades, including a £500,000 grant in 2021 to create the world’s first large-scale National Engineered Slope Simulator in the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering.
The support of the Wolfson Foundation has been pivotal in driving educational successes, impactful research and significantly enhancing its international research reputation.
The Wolfson X-Lab Extreme is set to open in late 2025 for testing in early 2026.
