Jakarta, INTI - A team of scientists in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, has successfully developed a hydrogen power system for unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, that combines lightweight design, high power, and air cooling. This technology is said to increase the endurance of industrial drones by more than three times compared to conventional batteries.
According to project leader Chen Zhongwei, the technology has already begun to be applied in forestry, agriculture, power line inspection, and emergency rescue operations.
Innovation to Tackle Power Obstacles
Chen explained that the limited durability of lithium batteries and the large size of fuel cell systems were previously major obstacles to industrial development.
To overcome this, Chen’s team developed a "high-specific-power cathode-closed air-cooled stack" technology. It passed the scientific and technological achievement appraisal organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation.
The assessment committee stated that this technology has highly advanced technical indicators, independent intellectual property rights, and is among the technologies with the highest specific power in the world.
Conclusion
A team of scientists in Dalian has developed a hydrogen power system for drones that can more than triple the flight endurance of conventional batteries. The technology, developed by Chen Zhongwei's team, has been used in forestry, agriculture, and emergency rescue. It has been assessed by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, and is considered highly innovative and advanced.
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