Xinyi Wei, a researcher in the School of Engineering's Group of Energy Materials, has been awarded the Young Scientist Award 2025 in the ‘Best researcher of the year’ category by Hydrogen Europe Research.
The five winners of the 2025 Young Scientist Award were announced on November 24th at a ceremony in Brussels.
Xinyi Wei's research develops advanced life-cycle and techno-economic assessment models for hydrogen technologies, including fuel cells and solid oxide electrolyser systems. Her work optimises the efficiency, environmental performance and industrial scalability of hydrogen value chains. Her contributions span EU-funded projects, enhancing system-level sustainability and techno-economic feasibility.
On receiving the award, Wei said: “My PhD journey has been shaped by a series of EU-funded Clean Hydrogen Partnership projects, whose diversity and ambition truly define the clean energy pathway of the future. These collaborations made it possible to bridge academic research with industrial practice, turning scientific insights into actionable, real-world solutions that accelerate our transition toward a sustainable energy system.”
Held annually since 2018, the Young Scientist Award is the reference prize for under-35-year-old researchers on hydrogen and is organised by Hydrogen Europe Research, the leading EU organisation fostering research and innovation in the hydrogen and fuel cell sector with more than 160 member organisations in 30 countries. The Young Scientist Award recognizes outstanding contributions to hydrogen research from early-career scientists. A total of 42 researchers from 34 universities, academic institutions and research centers in 15 countries participated in the 2025 edition. Winners received €1,000 and a trophy.