Dr Rajan Jagpal is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bath, where he leads experimental and modelling work on solid-state hydrogen storage as part of Project PT2.1: Solid-state hydrogen storage materials for aerospace applications, in collaboration with Professor Tim Mays within the UK-HyRES Hydrogen Research Hub. His work focuses on the development of advanced nanoporous materials and structured composites to store hydrogen safely and efficiently under the cryogenic and high-pressure conditions required for zero-emission aircraft.

Rajan combines expertise in material characterisation, thermodynamic modelling, and process engineering to understand how hydrogen interacts with porous solids at the molecular level. He has refined adsorption models, including a modified Tóth isotherm, to more accurately describe storage behaviour at low temperatures — with results showing local hydrogen densities exceeding that of liquid hydrogen. He helped establish the high-pressure hydrogen lab at Bath, commissioning key equipment and leading infrastructure development to support this research.

His background spans mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, and aerospace materials. Rajan completed his PhD in composite forming at Bath under the supervision of Dr Evros Loukaides, Professor Richard Butler, and Dr Vangelis Evangelou, supported through the SAMBa Centre for Doctoral Training and part-funded by GKN Aerospace. His doctoral research developed real-time predictive models of complex composite deformation, using Bayesian machine learning to link process physics and experimental data.

Alongside his technical work, Rajan contributes to national research strategy through the UK-HyRES Hub, working with academic and industrial partners such as GKN Aerospace and IAAPS. He led a recent cross-sector review paper on cryogenic hydrogen storage for aviation and has helped shape priorities across multiple hydrogen initiatives. His research sits at the interface of fundamental science and practical deployment — supporting the transition to net-zero technologies in transport and energy.