The HyperMorpH project “Synergistic Integration of Hyperconducting Electric Propulsion and Composite Structures with Intelligent Morphing for Hydrogen-Powered Aviation” plans to develop a new hybrid-electric, hydrogen-powered aircraft propulsion concept.

It will combine liquid hydrogen (LH₂), cryogenically cooled electric propulsion, and advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. It targets an aft-mounted Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI) configuration, where electrically driven propulsors recover energy from the aircraft’s boundary layer to boost overall efficiency.

The goal

HyperMorpH aims to accelerate the transition towards climate-neutral aviation. Primarily by developing a next-generation hybrid-electric hydrogen-powered propulsion system. The project builds on the increasing availability of liquid hydrogen (LH₂) for zero-emission aircraft. Moreover, it explores the economic and technological viability of cryogenically cooled electric propulsion systems.

Main objectives

• Develop a cryogenic “hyperconducting” electric motor
  The motor will use LH₂ cooling and advanced, multifunctional FRP structures to dramatically improve power density and efficiency.
• Create self-morphing composite structures (e.g., intake and rotor tip casing)
  They will raise propulsive efficiency in the aft-fuselage BLI concept and support performance in off-design conditions.
• Build a new integrated design framework and toolkit
  Both will couple aerodynamics, propulsion, and structures using optimization as well as Machine Learning, including data fusion, surrogate modelling, and uncertainty analysis.
• Create a Digital Twin and an intelligent agent to support design optimisation
  Namely “experiments-in-the-loop”, future Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) to progress towards digitally supported testing and certification approaches.
• Validate the full concept at lab scale (TRL 4)
  Especially by integrating the motor and morphing aerostructures into demonstrators and assessing overall viability (technical, economic, environmental, societal), including an upscaling roadmap.

The project will address the following areas:

• research and technology development,
• integrated airframe–propulsion architectures,
• advanced composites and manufacturing,
• digital engineering and ai-supported design,
• validation and scale-up potential,
• sustainability and impact,
• EU outreach and knowledge sharing.

Project consortium

The HyperMorpH consortium includes 7 partners which are coordinated by INEGI (Portugal). Other consortium members include TU Braunschweig and DLR (Germany), University of Padova and HIT09 (Italy), University of Nottingham (UK), and PEDAL Consulting (Slovakia).

PEDAL Consulting leads the Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation activities, including the communication strategy, branding, stakeholder engagement, as well as the website and outreach actions.