Meet H2FUTURE Assistant Professor Vahid Javaheri: "Hydrogen is called the fuel of the future, but we need to solve the material challenges for it to be a reliable option”
Vahid Javaheri was born in Khansar, Iran, a picturesque mountainous town. From an early age, Vahid was constantly on the move, living in various cities inside and outside of Iran. Oulu has been Javaheri's longest stay, over nine years, and it feels like home.
"From the moment I arrived at the University of Oulu, I fell in love with the people, work atmosphere, and culture. It’s a place where collaboration feels natural, ideas flow freely, and there’s a genuine drive to push the boundaries of materials science. I’ve built strong connections with colleagues and researchers here, making it the perfect place to continue my work," says Javaheri.
As for the H2FUTURE project, Javaheri was immediately drawn to the idea of working on next-generation materials that will shape the hydrogen economy.
"The opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable world while tackling complex material science problems? That’s definitely my thing!" he adds.
Before his academic career, Javaheri had experience at a casting company, solving real-world metallurgy and materials challenges
Before academia, Javaheri spent six years as an R&D manager at a casting company. This experience provided a strong foundation in alloy design, materials processing, and industrial problem-solving, shaping Vahid's research interests.
“That’s where I got my hands dirty, literally and symbolically, solving real-world metallurgy and materials challenges. But my curiosity got the best of me, and I took the leap into more fundamental research.”
Javaheri completed a PhD in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program in the MIMESIS project, which involved research secondment across Europe, including Finland, Germany, Norway. This journey included experimental work, computational modelling, and industrial collaborations, teaching Vahid about advanced steels - and surviving Nordic winters.
After the PhD, Javaheri led the Microstructure and Mechanisms research group, focusing on advanced and novel steels. In February 2023, Vahid received the title of Docent (Adjunct Professor) from the University of Turku. In February 2024, Vahid took on a new challenge as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the H2FUTURE project, working on hydrogen-resistant materials for a sustainable future.
Javaheri describes hydrogen embrittlement as a "silent assassin" that sneaks into materials, causes microscopic damage, until catastrophic failure
Javaheri's main focus in H2FUTURE is conducting fundamental research to understand the mechanisms behind hydrogen damage, particularly in advanced high-strength steels.
“You’ve probably heard the rule: 'The stronger the material, the more vulnerable it is to hydrogen damage '. That’s exactly what makes using advanced high-strength steels so tricky in hydrogen applications.”
Javaheri focuses on these questions: how does hydrogen interact with microstructures? What exactly causes embrittlement? By answering them, it is possible to determine the most effective mitigation strategies to make these materials safer and more durable. Javaheri finds material challenges the most exciting about working with hydrogen and sustainable energy technologies.
"Hydrogen is often called the 'fuel of the future,' but if we don’t solve the material challenges, it won’t be a reliable option. What excites me most is the idea that our work can bridge this gap," Javaheri shares.
He likens hydrogen embrittlement to a "silent assassin" that sneaks into materials, causes microscopic damage, and eventually leads to catastrophic failure. The mix of fundamental science and industrial relevance makes this work incredibly rewarding.
Javaheri's research aims to ensure that materials used in hydrogen applications don’t fail prematurely.
"By developing steels that can withstand hydrogen exposure, we’re reducing the risk of failures in pipelines, storage tanks, and transportation systems—essential components of a clean energy infrastructure," he notes.
Javaheri is excited to build a strong research team and passionate about mentoring young researchers
Javaheri emphasizes the importance of testing materials to ensure they can handle the environment before relying on hydrogen as a green energy source.
“You wouldn’t build a high-speed train without first testing whether the tracks can handle the speed. The same principle applies to hydrogen technology—we need to make sure the materials we use can handle the environment before we can truly rely on hydrogen as a green energy source.”
Javaheri is excited to build a strong research team and collaborate with top experts in hydrogen materials research, while the field is evolving rapidly, with much to discover.
He also looks forward to bridging the gap between fundamental research and industry needs, ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into practical solutions.
Additionally, Javaheri is passionate about mentoring young researchers, having had great mentors himself. To balance out goals in the academia, when not immersed in research, Javaheri enjoys exploring Finland's landscapes, hiking, and running.
He is also passionate about futsal and volleyball, considering them his advanced-level passions. Traveling is another significant part of his life, having visited over 20 countries and explored more than 100 cities.
"Running, for me, is like meditation; it clears my mind and keeps me focused," he shares.
"Academia and industry are like two pieces of a puzzle—they need each other to complete the picture"
Javaheri aims to establish a leading research group focused on the fundamental physical metallurgy of steels, particularly advanced high-strength steels.
"In the case of hydrogen-steel research, the vision is simple but ambitious: to solve the hydrogen embrittlement problem by combining fundamental research with practical engineering solutions," he explains.
He envisions his group playing a key role in shaping the materials of the future and working closely with industry to bring their findings into real-world applications.
"Academia and industry are like two pieces of a puzzle—they need each other to complete the picture," Javaheri says.
He believes that strong, two-way collaborations are essential, when research directly addresses industrial problems. Projects like H2FUTURE create the perfect environment for academia-industry partnerships to thrive.
Vahid advises early-career researchers to stay curious and explore different fields, as hydrogen research is incredibly multidisciplinary. He also emphasizes the importance of building strong collaborations, as some of the best discoveries happen at the intersection of disciplines. Javaheri is excited to see the progress H2FUTURE will create during these five years.
“Let’s just say, I’m still on the move. Only this time, it’s in the world of metallurgy and green energy.”