At the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers is advancing innovation in liquid hydrogen technologies for safe, efficient, and sustainable maritime applications. With deep expertise spanning materials science, shipbuilding, propulsion systems, and energy modelling, NTUA plays a central role in the Horizon Europe LH2CRAFT project.
The NTUA team contributes critical research and technical knowledge to LH2CRAFT, focusing on areas essential for the development of cutting-edge solutions for maritime decarbonisation. Their efforts support advancements in hydrogen containment systems, propulsion integration, and overall vessel safety under cryogenic operating conditions.
Meet the Team
Prof. Nicholas Tsouvalis, a Professor of Marine Materials and Shipbuilding Technology at the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and an active member of the Shipbuilding Technology Laboratory. His research focuses on the mechanical behavior of composite materials in marine environments, numerical modelling and structural design of advanced marine structures, fabrication of composite vessels, and the integration of steel-to-composite joints. He has contributed significantly to the advancement of cost-effective and high-performance materials for shipbuilding applications. With an impressive body of work—over 85 peer-reviewed publications, more than 125 technical reports, and participation in 30+ national and European research projects—Prof. Tsouvalis is widely recognized for his leadership in experimental and computational structural mechanics, particularly for large-scale marine components.
Prof. Christos Papadopoulos from the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, NTUA, with deep expertise in marine engineering, tribology, shaft alignment, vibration and acoustic. His research spans hydrodynamic lubrication (THD/TEHD) of journal and thrust bearings using CFD, diesel engine tribology, and the dynamics of propulsion systems, with extensive use of commercial and in-house numerical tools. Prof. Christos Papadopoulos has coordinated and participated in numerous national and EU-funded projects, including SAFeCRAFT, sPRISMoID, s-REQUBE, HYSELFDROPS, and NH3CRAFT, focusing on sustainable fuels, smart propulsion, and mechanical system optimization.
Assistant Professor Anna D. Zervaki of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) within the Division of Marine Structures and the Shipbuilding Technology Laboratory (STL), is a leading expert in metallic materials and welding technology. Her research focuses on the structure–processing–properties–performance relationships in metallic materials, including the application of computational alloy thermodynamics and kinetics (CALPHAD approach) to welding processes. She is also active in the study of hydrogen trapping and embrittlement in stainless steels under cryogenic conditions. In addition to teaching and research, she has provided consulting services to industry in the fields of failure analysis and materials selection. She is member of the Editorial Board of the European Journal of Materials (T&F-FEMS). Prof. Zervaki is currently the Immediate Past President of the Federation of European Materials Societies and has served as President of the Hellenic Metallurgical Society (2010-2016). She has coordinated and participated in numerous EU-funded projects, such as LH2CRAFT, NICOLHY, REFOS and SUNLASER advancing materials research and welding technologies for critical industrial and maritime applications. Her active involvement in these projects reflects her strong commitment to the advancement of sustainable maritime technologies.
Dr. Konstantina Traka is a Senior Researcher at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), with deep expertise in materials science, composite structures, and computational modeling. She holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Delft University of Technology and the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research, where her research focused on the early stages of recrystallization in interstitial-free and low-carbon steel sheets. Dr. Traka also holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from NTUA. Her technical skillset includes computational materials science, COMSOL, mechanical property testing, 3D modeling, structural analysis, and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Python, C++, AutoCAD, Rhino 3D, and AVEVA PDMS. She combines her academic rigor with hands-on engineering experience in marine composite structures and structural performance, making her a key contributor to interdisciplinary innovation in maritime technologies.
Dr. Neofytos Komninos is a Mechanical Engineer, PhD, and Laboratory Teaching Staff at the Applied Thermodynamics Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). Dr. Komninos holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Energy Production and Management from NTUA. His research focuses on the thermodynamic analysis and modelling of energy systems, with a particular emphasis on hydrogen technologies, fuel cells, and the integration of renewable energy sources. He has contributed to several EU-funded projects, supporting the advancement of sustainable energy solutions for both marine applications and stationary power generation.
George Charvalos – PhD Candidate in Thermodynamic Modelling
Mr. Charvalos focuses on modelling advanced energy systems and integrating fuel cells into modular marine architectures, supporting performance and risk assessment.
Panagiotis Evangelou – Project Specialist
With an academic background in economics, Mr. Evangelou has coordinated several national and EU maritime projects. His focus includes decarbonisation strategies, operations efficiency, and renewable fuels adoption.
Theodoros Mavrozoumis – Graduand in Naval Architecture &Marine Engineering and PhD candidate at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He has been involved in the development of real-time measurement systems for torque and strain on composite shafts, leveraging advanced sensor technologies. His research interests lie in the structural design and analysis of LH2 tanks and their integration in the ship hull.
Stavroula Maritsa – a Metallurgical Engineer and a PhD candidate at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). She holds a Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from NTUA, with a strong academic focus on the mechanical behaviour and performance of marine materials and components. Her research interests lie at the intersection of metallurgy, advanced materials, and maritime engineering, contributing to the development of innovative, sustainable technologies for the maritime sector. Through her doctoral studies, she is actively involved in hydrogen trapping and embrittlement of austenitic stainless steels under cryogenic conditions.
Ioannis Pervelis: Graduand in Naval Architecture &Marine Engineering and PhD candidate at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He is active in thermal and structural analysis of marine components.
A Culture of Excellence
This diverse team exemplifies NTUA’s commitment to combining fundamental research with practical engineering solutions. Through participation in international projects like LH2CRAFT, NTUA continues to deliver impactful innovations that address pressing maritime challenges, from sustainability to safety and operational efficiency.
As Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
This enduring philosophy continues to guide NTUA’s work and its lasting contribution to the maritime and energy transition sectors.
