New hydrogen-powered electric aircraft research set for take-o

A £1.4 million project to develop hydrogenpowered electric aircraft is set to begin at the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) at the University of Bath.

Dr Xiaoze Pei, Director of Research Quality at the institute has been awarded a five-year EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Open Fellowship to develop new power systems to help reduce the environmental impact of air travel.

The fellowship will tackle hurdles that stand in the way of hydrogen-powered aircraft taking to the skies – power density and efficiency, safety and reliability of on-board electric distribution network.

Dr Pei's research has been widely recognised and is funded by the EPSRC, the UK Aerospace Technology Institute, and the Royal Society.

Her research on applied superconducting and cryogenic power electronics has enabled the development of nextgeneration cryogenic and superconductivity powertrains.

The proposed use of liquid hydrogen as a fuel source would mean aircraft would create a cryogenic environment in which to run the power system.

This presents new opportunities to exploit high-temperature superconductors and the improved efficiency of a direct current distribution network, as well as the lower weight of such a system compared with alternating current set-ups.

Collaborating with leading industrial partners Airbus UpNext, which focuses on future flying technologies, and Chippenham-based IXYS UK Westcode, which manufacturers power semiconductors, Dr Pei's team will demonstrate the viability of this innovative technology for future commercial zeroemissions and low-noise electric aircraft.

This collaboration could lead to a gamechanging power system that could revolutionise air travel.

Dr Pei said: “I have a vision to achieve net-zero transport, with an emphasis on large-scale electric aircraft. On-board electrical power distribution, control and protection remain significant challenges relating to large-scale hydrogen-powered electric aircraft.”