Scientists at Glasgow University in Scotland are working with EADS Innovation Works in an attempt to find a way of storing hydrogen in solid state using nanotechnology, which, when combined with oxygen, could give rise to a clean fuel to power aircraft engines.

The Glasgow research team is trying to modify the microstructure of a hydrogen storage tank so that the element can be stored and distributed efficiently.

The team said it will try to test an unmanned aircraft using a hydrogen-powered fuel cell if the new storage tank works.

Glasgow school of chemistry Professor Duncan Gregory said, “Finding a viable means of storing hydrogen in the solid state would pave the way for the industrial-scale use of hydrogen as a clean alternative to hydrocarbon-based fuels in aeroplanes.”

The only waste product from using a hydrogen-based fuel is water, however hydrogen is not used on an industrial scale for fuel cells as it expensive and cannot be stored safely, according to bbc.co.uk.