Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Laboratory (SHEL) Research Group

Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Laboratory (SHEL) Research Group

Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Laboratory (SHEL) Research Group banner image

The Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Laboratory (SHEL) pioneers research and development on hydrogen energy solutions in Australia and internationally.

Hydrogen technologies are emerging solutions to support intermittent renewables used in a wide spectrum of stationary and mobile applications. These technologies are highly multidisciplinary by nature and their development relies on cross-disciplinary engineering and science knowledge, experience, skills, and capabilities. Since early 2000, we have been working on different aspects of sustainable hydrogen energy technologies across a range of research areas.

Key research areas

  • Hydrogen production methods
  • Novel hydrogen storage and transport solutions
  • Integrated renewable hydrogen systems
  • Fuel cell and electrolyser systems innovations
  • Unitised Regenerative Fuel Cells (URFCs), proton flow batteries, and proton flow reactors
  • Novel materials for hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and electrolysers
  • Thermal management solutions for hydrogen systems
  • Catalyst, membrane, and electrodes for fuel cells and electrolysers
  • Fuel cell and electrolyser structural and component design
  • Hydrogen systems for stationary/mobile applications
  • Hydrogen economy 

Research capabilities

SHEL is a multidisciplinary team of internationally-recognised experts with a wide range of capabilities

Key research projects

Our experienced researchers lead key projects in the hydrogen research areas

Research facilities

The SHEL research group has access to RMIT's world-class research facilities

Key publications

Our research is published in leading peer-reviewed journals across a range of hydrogen areas

Australian and international collaborators

  • The Australian Defence Industries (DMTC, DST, DIH)
  • CSIRO
  • The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
  • The Australian Hydrogen Research Network (AHRN)
  • QinetiQ Australia
  • Thales Group
  • C2-Robotics
  • Geelong Regional Hydrogen Cluster, Startupbootcamp
  • University of New South Wales (UNSW)
  • Griffith University
  • Monash University
  • Deakin University
  • The United States Office of Naval 
  • Eldor Corporation (Italy)
  • Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (Germany)
  • FH Aachen (Germany)
  • Kyushu University (Japan)
  • Kyoto University (Japan)
  • Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Japan)
  • National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology - ASIT (Japan)
  • Simon Fraser University (Canada)
  • Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen (US)
  • Kathmandu University (Nepal)
Demonstration of a ~1-kW unitised regenerative fuel cell (URFC), designed and developed by the RMIT SHEL Group (2018)

Meet our researchers

Our multi-disciplinary team comprises researchers with expertise in engineering and science.

Interested in collaborating with us?

Get in touch:

Contact group leader Professor Bahman Shabani

Email: bahman.shabani@rmit.edu.au

Tel: +61 3 9925 4353

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.