Lisa-Marie Weniger: Hydrogen embrittlement in rolling element bearings

Lisa-Marie Weniger’s research focuses on improving the reliability of hydrogen infrastructure by studying how hydrogen affects bearing steel. By investigating hydrogen embrittlement in critical components, her work supports the development of safe and sustainable technologies for fossil-free energy systems.

Where do you come from? Where have you been?

I grew up in Leoben, Austria, a little town surrounded by forest and mountains, and with a background in mining and steel production. I spent much of my childhood outdoors, developing a love for nature and a curiosity about how things worked. This curiosity led me to study Materials Science, and my love for nature made me interested in the sustainability of Materials Science.

What brought you to Luleå University of Technology?

Two things. When I came towards the end of my masters study, I wanted to continue with applied research, and make an impact towards a more sustainable future. One of the topics that really fascinated me was the hydrogen industry, especially fossil-free steel production, and the challenges that come with it- both for the steel being produced as well as the systems around it; tubes, valves, compressors, and of course, bearings. Luleå is one of the pioneers in hydrogen related research and fossil-free steel production, so I was happy to be accepted at a research project at LTU which focuses on the behavior of bearing steel under the influence of hydrogen. The second thing that really drew me to Luleå was the nature up here. I could fill pages writing about what I like about the nature of northern Sweden, but instead I will simply recommend everybody to come here at least once and experience it for themselves.

What is your research contribution to Creaternity?

In short, I am trying to make the hydrogen infrastructure more reliable on the material side. In detail, I am researching hydrogen embrittlement in rolling element bearings. In order to use hydrogen efficiently, it needs to be compressed. One of the key components in a hydrogen compressor are rolling element bearings. The steel that these bearings are made out of is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, which means that the mechanical properties of this steel are adversely affected by hydrogen. My research revolves around qualifying and especially quantifying the damage that hydrogen causes in rolling element bearings.

Why is Creaternity important?

We need to get better at finding sustainable solutions. Creaternity is a movement that promotes sustainable research, and furthermore enables collaboration with different disciplines, which I think really enables innovative solutions- exactly what we need!

Where are you going?

Practically speaking, towards finishing my PhD. In a wider perspective, I want to continue to research and work towards a sustainable future.

• Contact: Lisa-Marie Weniger