A core research activity at LCC focuses on the development, design, and assessment of Type III, Type IV, and Type V composite pressure vessels for gaseous and cryogenic media, with particular emphasis on hydrogen applications, including conventional and conformable tank concepts. 

The research combines advanced material systems, manufacturing technologies, numerical simulation, experimental characterization, and system-level assessments to support the scalable and sustainable deployment of hydrogen storage and distribution systems. 

Website: Research at LCC
Contact: Elisabeth Gleis, M.Sc.

The PARITY-4-REUSE project develops fully recyclable Type-4 composite pressure vessels for hydrogen applications, targeting large-scale production with high mechanical performance through an industrialized production chain ranging from polymer liner fabrication and dry fiber winding to thermoplastic resin transfer molding (T-RTM) with in-situ polymerization.  Within the project, LCC is responsible for the development and implementation of the T-RTM process as well as for the validation of the pressure vessels. This validation includes life-cycle assessment (LCA), recyclability pathway studies, and sustainability aspects. 

Type: NIP II
Funding: Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV, formerly Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport – BMDV) 
Funding code: 03B11040  
Runtime: 01.10.2023 – 30.09.2026
Website:  NIPII
Contact: Çağla Sipahi, M.Sc.
Further informationen: NOW GmbH 

Conformable hydrogen storage tanks for efficient integration in aircraft. The CHoSe-Aviation project aims to develop liquid hydrogen (LH ₂ ) tanks with innovative geometries adapted to aircraft installation spaces, enabling volume-efficient hydrogen storage while meeting the gravimetric requirements of aviation through the use of lightweight composite materials. TUM leads the development of the manufacturing concept and material/subcomponent characterization for these conformable LH ₂  tanks. Project partners contribute with tank conceptualization, material testing (cryogenic permeation  behavior), and aircraft-level structural integration analyses. 

Projektrahmen: LuFo VI-3 Federal Aviation Research Project 
Förderung: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Förderkennzeichen: 20E2204A 
Laufzeit: 01.12.2023 – 30.11.2026 
Kontakt: Felix Falk, M.Sc.
Website:  CHoSe-Aviation  

Development of material-efficient hydrogen pressure vessels for zero-emission mobility. The MATWATA project targets highly material-efficient Type-IV hydrogen pressure vessels by integrating advanced composite design, manufacturing, and hybrid material concepts, aiming to significantly reduce environmental impact and improve performance for zero-emission vehicles. The project combines analytical modelling, experimental characterization, and process simulation to optimize vessel layup, resin systems, and liner integration in cooperation with industry partners. 

Projektrahmen: Holistic Air Mobility Initiative – HAMI 
Förderung: Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi)  
Laufzeit: 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2025 
Website: MATWATA 
Kontakt: Philipp Dörr, M.Sc. 

Type-IV hydrogen pressure vessels for flat, cuboidal installation spaces in vehicles.  

TUM develops the CFRP structure and a suitable manufacturing 
process, including internal continuous fiber-reinforced tension struts and 
their connection to the tank wall, while analyzing manufacturing 
parameters to ensure reliable demonstrator production. 

Type: ZIM (IraSME network) 
Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany (BMWK) 
Funding code: KK5135821KL3  
Runtime: 01.02.2024 – 30.06.2026 
Website: ADAPT 
Kontakt: Elisabeth Gleis, M.Sc.  

Development of a flat, sensor-integrated composite hydrogen tank for aviation. 

The TankWing project develops a space-efficient hydrogen tank concept for integration into aircraft wings using a novel stitching technology based on a modified double-lock stitch, including integrated sensor fibres. The approach enables a flat tank geometry with integrated tension struts, improving volumetric efficiency and weight while allowing continuous monitoring of structural integrity and tank condition during operation. 

Type: LuFo 
Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) 
Funding code: 20M2258C  
Runtime: 01.11.2024 – 31.10.2027 
Contact: Gabriel Eduardo Rojas Valenzuela, M. Eng. 

Development of a digital twin for the design of filament-wound composite structures. 

The DIMORPH project develops an advanced digital design process for filament-wound composite components by directly considering process-induced effects during path planning and coupling them with structural simulation. The aim is a more accurate virtual representation of laminate architecture, enabling reduced safety factors, shorter development cycles, and material, cost, and emission savings, particularly for large hydrogen pressure vessels. 

Type: ZIM 
Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)   
Runtime: 01.11.2024 – 31.10.2026 
Contact: Kevin Banea, M.Sc. 

Development of a cryogenic compressed hydrogen (CcH ₂ ) storage system for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. 

The CRYOTRUCK project focuses on the development, modelling and experimental validation of a high-performance cryogas hydrogen storage system that combines high storage density with the mechanical robustness required for long-distance fuel-cell trucks. The Chair of Carbon Composites (LCC) is involved in the design, material research and manufacturing process development of the CFRP reinforcement around a metallic liner for Type-III CcH ₂  pressure vessels, using advanced winding and tow-preg processes, multi-scale virtual characterization and extensive burst and lifetime testing. 

Type: NIP II 
Funding: Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMDV) 
Funding code: 03B10411E 
Runtime: 01.01.2022 – 31.03.2026 
Website: CRYOTRUCK 
Contact: Marco Tönjes, M.Sc. 

Hybrid multi-material designs for lightweight pressure-bearing components. 

The DISCO2030 project investigates the integration of dissimilar materials, such as composites with metals or other structural materials, to create functional large-scale lightweight components and structures with optimized mechanical performance and reduced mass. Within the project, the Chair of Carbon Composites (LCC) focuses on the design, experimental validation, and joining technologies for hybrid components that combine fibre-reinforced composites with other materials, supporting advanced vehicle applications and energy-efficient structures. 

Type:  Horizon Europe Framework Program, (DISCO2030)   
Funding: EU 
Funding code: 101091860 
Runtime: 01.12.2023 – 31.5.2026 
Website: DISCO2030 
Contact: Vincent Backmann, Dipl.-Ing.
 

Development of a manufacturing process for space-adapted, tension-braced hydrogen pressure tanks for vehicles. 

The CARBusTank project develops a novel sewing-based process technology and dedicated production machine for lightweight pressure tanks with a capacity of up to 9 kg of compressed hydrogen, enabling flat, curved, and geometry-adapted tank designs with more than 95 % space utilization. A modified double-lockstitch sewing process for fibre-reinforced composites with sewing depths of up to 120 mm is developed, supported by process simulation and needle penetration modelling at TUM, while industrial partners realize the sewing head, machine system, and process monitoring. 
 

Type: ZIM 
Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) 
Funding code: KK5135828CI4  
Runtime: 01.12.2024 – 20.05.2027 
Contact: Shima Norouzi, M.Sc. 

 

Process and Structural Simulation: 

•  CADWIND and CATIA for winding path and process simulation  
•  ANSYS for FEA 

Manufacturing Equipment:  

• 5-axis Filament Winding Machine: Wet winding and towpreg winding 
•  Towpreg line: Production of towpregs with different fiber and matrix materials 
• Thermoplast Tape Layer & Winder

Characterization: 

•  Split-disc testing 
•  Standard material characterization on wound plates