Materials for a Global Hydrogen Economy

Date: Sunday, March 23
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Sponsored by: Light Elements Technology Committee

Course Description and Scope

This tutorial will cover the selection of materials compatible with hydrogen for applications involving its production, transport, storage, and selected end uses. Emphasis will be on sectors of the economy that currently deploy hydrogen (e.g., refinery and fertilizer sectors) as well as in evolving sectors (e.g., transportation and industrial sectors). Factors influencing choice of materials (temperatures, pressures, blending with other gases, etc.) for the stated applications will be included. Limitations of existing materials will be identified, and recommendations to initiate related R&D will be provided.

Outline of the tutorial is as follows:

1. Introduction: An overview of the different sectors of hydrogen economy illustrated with those proposed for the Hydrogen Hubs in the U.S.
2. Hydrogen Production: Materials consideration and challenges in steam methane reforming and electrolysis technologies with summary considerations for other production methods.
3. Hydrogen Transport: Materials compatibility concerns emphasizing existing and novel materials for gaseous hydrogen (and blends) transport using pipelines.
4. Hydrogen Storage: An overview of the different storage technologies with a focus on pressure vessels for gaseous and cryogenic hydrogen storage.
5. End Use Application: A case study highlighting industrial implementation of hydrogen-based technologies.
6. Summary: Existing limitations and opportunities for future research and development.

Participants will receive a post-event digital credential.

Learning Objectives

1. Inform participants on the implications for material selection and safe deployment in sectors of the economy that are brand new to using hydrogen as energy carrier
2. Summarize existing materials for “traditional” hydrogen applications and potential use in upcoming/non-traditional sectors
3. Recommend materials development initiatives that build on existing knowledge that will also apply to near-term deployment

Instructors

Ganesan Subbaraman

GTI Energy & University of Central Florida

About the Instructor

Ganesan Subbaraman is program director at GTI Energy, responsible for implementing the company’s roles in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) project with the U.S. Department of Energy. Over the last 20 years, he has worked on clean hydrogen technologies that have included its production and utilization. His R&D experience spans aerospace and energy industries. Subbaraman received undergraduate and master’s degrees in Material Science & Engineering, and a doctorate in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech. He is courtesy professor in the University of Central Florida’s Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER).

Milan Agnani

GTI Energy

About the Instructor

Milan Agnani is a senior engineer in the advanced modelling and materials science group at GTI Energy where he focuses on materials challenges in decarbonization technologies. Previously, as a postdoctoral researcher at Sandia National Laboratories California, he worked on topics related to materials compatibility for hydrogen service. Milan holds a Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Colorado School of Mines.

Lawrence Cho

Colorado School of Mines

About the Instructor

Lawrence Cho is an assistant professor in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. He also holds an associate research appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-Boulder. Previously, he was a research assistant professor associated with the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center (ASPPRC) at Mines and worked as a Materials Research Engineer at the NIST through the NRC Research Associateship program. His research focuses on the application of fundamental steel science to practical challenges related to the development of advanced materials for industrial applications. His recent interests include the design of sustainable and economical materials and processes for clean energy technologies, including hydrogen service applications, carbon capture transportation utilization storage, and industrial decarbonization.

How Do I Register?

Courses and workshops are open exclusively to registrants for the TMS 2025 Annual Meeting & Exhibition and are included as part of the conference registration fee. If you wish to participate in one of the offered courses, please make your selection when you register for TMS2025. All courses are held on Sunday, March 23, so make your travel plans accordingly.

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