MConnected Joins SHINe to Advance Hydrogen Innovation
MConnected is proud to have joined SHINe, the Scottish Hydrogen Innovation Network, as we continue developing technology for the hydrogen sector and critical infrastructure.
This marks another step in a journey that began in 2023. Today, through our work with Teesside and Northumbria universities and support from our Tees Valley Innovation Zone (TVIZ) Exploration Voucher, we are building on those foundations with a clear focus: helping industry understand the condition of its assets and identify developing problems earlier.
Building on our hydrogen research
Our work with Teesside University began in 2023, supporting research into hydrogen leak detection during transportation through sensing technology, machine learning and dashboard tools.
That collaboration provided a foundation for understanding how connected monitoring systems could support hydrogen operations and predictive maintenance.
We are now progressing into Phase II, bringing that experience together with our work with Northumbria University on Neuromorphic Thermal Vision (NTV) and Spiking Neural Networks (SNN).
Teesside contributes expertise across hydrogen production, transportation and storage, while Northumbria contributes research in infrared sensing and neuromorphic AI. MConnected brings sensing, systems integration and our OUTPOST asset intelligence platform, with a focus on translating research into practical industrial applications.
Our initial focus: hydrogen production
Hydrogen production facilities bring together equipment whose condition matters to safe, reliable operation — from electrolysers and electrical systems to compressors, valves and associated pipework.
Our next phase explores how thermal sensing and edge AI could help identify abnormal heat patterns and developing equipment issues across these assets.
Potential applications include monitoring overheating in electrical connections, changes in compressor thermal behaviour and unusual heat signatures around production equipment. The aim is to establish where an additional thermal monitoring layer can provide useful information to operators and maintenance teams.
Hydrogen-specific performance will be assessed through controlled testing and suitable proof-of-concept trials.
Bringing thermal sensing and asset intelligence together
NTV combines infrared sensing with AI processing close to the equipment being monitored. Its development uses Spiking Neural Networks to recognise meaningful changes in thermal information.
Through OUTPOST, we are working to bring those insights together with other sensor readings and operational data. This could help operators assess events in context, prioritise investigations and make better-informed maintenance decisions.
The thermal layer is being developed to complement existing safety instrumentation, including certified gas detection. Its focus is equipment thermal health and relevant heat signatures; standard long-wave infrared sensing does not directly image a room-temperature hydrogen gas cloud.
Connecting research with industry through SHINe
Joining SHINe provides an opportunity to connect with hydrogen expertise, innovation facilities and potential partners as we progress towards industrial validation.
For MConnected, the value of these connections lies in understanding the challenges operators face and identifying where our technology could make a useful contribution.
We are proud to develop this work from the Tees Valley, alongside universities in the North East, while building relationships across the wider hydrogen sector.
Come and talk to us
We welcome conversations with hydrogen producers, infrastructure owners, engineering companies, equipment suppliers and research organisations.
You may have a monitoring challenge, a suitable facility for a trial, operational data or specialist expertise that could help shape the next stage of development.
Our approach starts with a defined problem, agreed success criteria and evidence that can support the next decision.
If you would like to explore collaboration or a proof-of-concept opportunity, please contact Andrew Bland, COO, at andrewb@m-connected.com.
Real People. Solving Real World Problems. Supporting Real Innovative Initiatives.