Deakin Hydrogen Hub

26/10/2026

🔬 Step inside our Fuel Cell Validation Lab, the heart of research at the Deakin Hydrogen Hub! It’s where our current group of PhD researchers carry out their experimental work, exploring how hydrogen technologies perform.

⚡ With equipment that can test individual fuel cells through to groups of cells connected together, known as stacks, researchers can change the operating conditions and measure how the technology responds.

🔎 This helps us understand how well fuel cells work, how their performance changes over time, and where improvements could be made.
🤝 The lab also provides opportunities for industry partners to work with our team to test and refine their technologies. 📍 Research in action, right here at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus.

31/08/2026

🌏 From Changchun to Warrnambool.

Last week, we welcomed representatives from the Changchun Municipal People’s Government to the Deakin Hydrogen Hub as part of a visit to Warrnambool, Changchun’s sister city.

Mr Ou Shuo, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office, and Mr Sun Zhe (Jeffrey Sun) joined Warrnambool City CouncilCouncil’s Stephen Hoy for a tour of the Hub and a conversation about hydrogen research, technology and industry development.

🚗 Changchun is a major automotive manufacturing centre in China and is also home to growing hydrogen research activity. It was interesting to hear about developments in the region and share some of the hydrogen research, testing and training happening here at Deakin’s Warrnambool Campus.

🤝 Visits like this are a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and strengthen the connections created through Warrnambool’s international relationships.

Thanks to Mr Ou, Mr Sun and Warrnambool City Council for visiting us.



Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus

28/08/2026

What does it take to scale hydrogen? ⚡

Having the technology is only part of the story.

For hydrogen to move into wider use, a lot of pieces need to come together. We need hydrogen supply, refuelling infrastructure, supply chains, skilled people and investment. And, importantly, the economics need to stack up.

That’s why a hydrogen technology can work without necessarily being ready for widespread use.

At the Deakin Hydrogen Hub, we research, test and integrate hydrogen technologies to better understand how they perform in real-world applications 🔬🚗

Because scaling hydrogen isn’t about using it everywhere. It’s about understanding where it makes sense, and building the systems to support it.

26/08/2026

Meet Harvey 👋

Harvey is a fourth-year mechanical engineering student at Deakin, and his love of cars and mechanics has led him to the Deakin Hydrogen Hub for his Final Year Project.

His project is a hands-on one. Harvey is developing a process to build hydrogen fuel cell stacks here at the Hub, including assembling a working prototype and developing procedures that can support future students and staff.

We’re really pleased to be supporting Final Year Projects like Harvey’s and seeing Deakin engineering students make use of the Hub’s specialist facilities, equipment and expertise. With support from our team, including engineer Hamish, students have the opportunity to put what they’ve learned throughout their degree into practice on real hydrogen technology projects.

“The part I’m looking forward to most is the building side. I love working with my hands and building things, so putting all the parts together and testing a successful prototype is incredibly exciting.”

Harvey will use equipment including a 100 kN mechanical press and fuel cell leak tester before putting his prototype through performance testing.

And for Harvey, there’s another goal too. By the end of the project, he hopes to have the knowledge and confidence to talk with others about hydrogen technology and share what he’s learned.

We’ll catch up with Harvey again as his project progresses. Next time, we’ll get him in front of the camera and show you more of the project in action! 🎥

17/08/2026

Sound on! 🔊

There are many potential benefits to hydrogen mobility, but one of the first things you notice is the difference in sound. Or rather, the lack of it.

First, a conventional diesel bus. Then, Toyota’s SORA hydrogen fuel cell bus. Captured during today’s hydrogen bus trial at Deakin' Waurn Ponds campus.

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12/08/2026

🔬 It’s National Science Week!

At the Deakin Hydrogen Hub in Warrnambool, science is hands-on. Our researchers are investigating hydrogen materials, fuel cells and energy systems, testing how technologies perform and building the knowledge needed to move ideas towards practical applications.

It’s work that brings together researchers, students and industry, with everything from materials and component evaluation through to larger-scale technology testing happening right here at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus.

This National Science Week, we’re celebrating the people, curiosity and careful testing behind hydrogen research.

Interested in what happens inside the Hub? Follow along as we share more of the science, technology and people behind our work.

12/08/2026

We are looking forward to hosting what is sure to be an incredible workshop and opportunity to learn from Hub Collaborator Sherry Johnstone. Book your spot below!

10/08/2026

Will it hold? 🌉

That was the big question in Warrnambool today as students put their engineering skills, and their carefully constructed bridges, to the test at the Science and Engineering Challenge.

The Deakin Hydrogen Hub was delighted to be part of the day, with Adam Fletcher and Amy Armstrong joining as guest judges for the bridge-building challenge.

Students from Colac Secondary College, Bayview College, Terang College, Warrnambool College, King’s College Warrnambool, Timboon P-12 School and Portland Secondary College took part, putting their creativity, problem-solving and teamwork into action across a range of hands-on science and engineering activities.

We had a front-row seat to some impressive engineering thinking as teams designed, built and then tested their bridges. Some held firm. Others provided a very practical lesson in engineering! 😄

It was fantastic to see so many young people from across our region experimenting, collaborating and getting hands-on with STEM.

Thanks to the of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge team and everyone involved in bringing the event to Warrnambool.

07/08/2026

🚌 Deakin staff and students: ride the future with us

Take a seat aboard Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell electric SORA bus and help Deakin researchers evaluate how the technology performs on our intercampus route.
By travelling between the Waurn Ponds and Waterfront campuses, you’ll help create a realistic passenger load while researchers collect vehicle operating data under representative driving conditions.
You’ll also learn how hydrogen fuel cell buses work and why they could play an important role in reducing transport emissions.

📅 Monday 17 August
⏰ Choose from a morning or afternoon 1.5hr trip
📍 Departing and returning to Waurn Ponds Campus
🎁 Receive a $30 Deakin Café voucher
Places are limited and registration is essential:

Ride Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell electric SORA bus, contribute to real-world Deakin research, and receive a $30 Deakin Café voucher.

06/08/2026

🧪 Some of the biggest advances in hydrogen technologies begin long before a fuel cell is assembled. They begin with the materials themselves.

At the Deakin Hydrogen Hub, our Wet Lab is where key fuel cell materials are developed, including membranes, gas diffusion layers and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). These materials play an important role in determining how efficiently and reliably fuel cell systems perform.

By bringing materials development together with characterisation, assembly, validation and system testing, the Hub provides a connected pathway from early-stage research through to real-world application. 🔬

Every breakthrough starts somewhere. In many cases, it starts with the materials.

💡 Interested in learning how the Deakin Hydrogen Hub's materials development capabilities could support your organisation? We'd love to start a conversation.