Although the DT-HATS project officially started in September 2025, the first real interaction and collaboration among the doctoral candidates (DCs) began with the DC Introduction Meeting held on 23 April. This virtual gathering brought together a diverse group of researchers, selected through a highly competitive international process, for the very first time. More than a formal milestone, the meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative and international effort to advance sustainable fuel technologies through shared knowledge and innovation.
The meeting was opened by the project coordinator, Michele Battistoni, from the University of Perugia. Battistoni outlined the vision, structure and expectations, highlighting DT-HATS’ ambition to advance hydrogen and ammonia-based combustion technologies through a strongly interdisciplinary approach. He also emphasised the role of interconnected work packages (WPs), which link experimental, numerical and data-driven research while strengthening collaboration among the DCs.
A central highlight of the event was the introduction of all DCs, whose diverse perspectives and shared ambition shape the network’s identity. A total of 14 DCs from diverse countries and academic backgrounds presented their profiles, research interests and motivations for joining the DT-HATS network, including Nouralddin Fayez, Tejas Shripal, Eirini Sotiria Kefaloukou, Vijayakrishnan Venkatesan, Lucrezia Carnà, Xiao Xiao, Arnob Kundu, Guo Xiaolong, Pratik Tiwari, Yihan Yang, Luigi Mauro, Dimitrios Chondroudakis, Pedro John, and Tommaso Giovanni Baffetti, who will be based at different universities and companies across Europe (see our network). Their research spans a wide range of topics, from hydrogen injection and ammonia combustion to plasma-assisted ignition, advanced numerical modelling and digital twin development. Moreover, their research journeys will include international secondments with leading industrial and academic partners such as Airbus, Argonne National Laboratory, Bosch, Carnot Institutes, Convergent Science, Imperial College London, Toyota, WinGD, and WLO, among others. These placements will provide hands-on exposure to advanced facilities, high-fidelity simulations, and real-world engineering applications. Read more about the research and DCs on our website under Team.
In addition to scientific training, partners from Accelopment Schweiz pointed out the importance of the transferable skills training, including Open Science practices, research management and outreach within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) framework. DCs will be actively involved in sharing their research through different communication and dissemination activities, engaging with various stakeholders, from the scientific community and industry to society at large. They also encouraged the DCs to participate in voluntary roles, such as DC representatives and outreach representatives, to support the smooth functioning of the network and to communicate their contributions to sustainable fuel technologies. The DCs responded positively, with many volunteering for these roles.
The DT-HATS programme also includes coordinated training activities, such as summer and winter schools, progress meetings and interdisciplinary workshops, supporting both technical and professional development. This introductory meeting served as a first step before the DCs meet in person for the upcoming DT-HATS Summer School, a week-long event planned for June/July in Perugia, Italy. This gathering is expected to strengthen collaboration, deepen interactions and further build the network’s collective identity.
Behind the screens, a collection of smiling faces captured the spirit of the moment, with diverse minds coming together, ready to shape the future of sustainable energy as they look ahead to meeting in Perugia for the upcoming summer school. Stay tuned for updates from the project and insights from MSCA fellows.
