Presented by Matt Swift, product development lead for hydrogen heat exchangers, this segment will explore where Reaction Engines are applying their novel thermal management technologies to tackle the issues around hydrogen-fueled flight. Building on the shoulders of decades of cutting-edge development in the space sector, this expertise is now driving the next generation of green transportation, aiming to offer system-level efficiency gains while ensuring safety, reliability and repeatability. Participating in a number of funded programs, this presentation will also provide a window into those activities and outline where this funding is creating value.

Do you want to know how fuel cells can help decarbonize the aviation sector? Learn how it is possible to cover almost all of Sweden's flights with hydrogen-electric fuel cell aircraft. The world’s first commercial hydrogen-electric airplane flight utilised a PowerCell 100kW fuel cell system, marking the start of the company's journey in aviation. PowerCell Group is now a world leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology for aviation, with over 20 ongoing projects for fixed wing, e-VTOL and more, continuing the ground-breaking development of next-generation aviation fuel cells.

Fuel cell systems provide a zero-emission solution for aircraft propulsion. To assure safe and reliable fuel cell operation in aircraft, system testing has to be conducted under realistic operating conditions. Therefore the HESPTA has been developed as a flying testbed to provide a system carrier for time- and cost-effective airborne fuel cell system testing. In this keynote presentation the test platform HEPSTA will be described with the new fuel cell system generation and latest results, comprising laboratory measurements and insights on the system design, especially focusing on the concept of hybridization for power optimization and system reliability.

In the frame of the clean aviation project HyPoTraDe, NLR in the Netherlands is preparing a new test facility for ground tests of liquid hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrains. The presentation shows the preparation of the powertrain hardware involving two 100kW fuel cells, two large batteries, electrical power distribution and five propulsor units including the innovative use of a two-phase transfer loop for collecting fuel cell waste heat for the conditioning of liquid hydrogen.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is most cost effectively available for low-volume niche aerospace applications as an off-the-shelf system. It contains the air, hydrogen and thermal systems (balance of plant), not optimized for the application. This presentation will outline an optimized systematic approach to allow bespoke balance of plant systems to be developed for low-volume aerospace at reduced effort and cost. This can result in performance uplifts/cost reduction, such as increased power density, critical for increasing the viability of the overall fuel cell systems, helping accelerate the transition to zero-carbon fuels for niche applications.

PEM fuel cell systems play a pivotal role in realizing the aviation industry's net zero goals. Currently, PEM fuel cell systems exhibit a gravimetric power index of approximately 1kW/kg. At the system level, stacks, electric motors and humidifiers are particularly responsible for this low index. The presentation will outline the anticipated changes in system performance (efficiency, gravimetric index, aircraft resistance) compared to a baseline system. Conventional components and subsystems will be replaced with alternative variants. This will provide an estimation of how the integration of unconventional components and subsystems could enhance the performance of PEM fuel cell systems in aviation.

A plausible solution toward sustainable aviation is the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier in so-called hydrogen-electric aircraft. While these pose several technical challenges such as fuel cell or thermal management design and concept of operations, the efficacy of hydrogen storage with acceptable mass and dormancy stands out as critical enabler. This presentation introduces alternative approaches such as liquid and gaseous storage; presents key metrics such as dormancy, volumetric and gravimetric efficiency in an accessible way; and describes challenges such as impact of center of gravity as well as pressure and temperature control in liquid hydrogen tanks.

The goals to decarbonize the aerospace industries are quite formidable. When looking for ways to electrify aircraft, developing fuel cell technologies, are being looked at to provide energy to the different systems, but this will require a very aggressive R&D and validation process. This presentation will look into some of the challenges based on real examples and how they have been resolved.

The increase in urbanization and road congestion has raised the need to address new solutions for transportation. Urban Aair mobility has come up as a possible solution, supported by the advance of sustainable propulsion, energy storage systems, connectivity, automation and lightweight structures. The FLY.PT project, involving Portuguese aerospace companies, explores autonomous electric mobility combining a drone, a passenger cabin and a skateboard, for vertical and horizontal movement. The collaborative design methodology included the creation of a morphological table to support the generative phase, sketching sessions to visualize concepts and a concept selection matrix to choose and refine concepts collaboratively.

With over 300 companies delving into eVTOL aircraft development, obstacles loom large. These vehicles aren't mere electric helicopters; they're finely tuned for electrical propulsion, demanding novel approaches. Foremost among these is adopting cutting-edge technologies for safe flight. This adds to the already complex electrical systems landscape in an industry transitioning to electric aircraft. Yet, taking off is just the beginning. Meeting regulatory standards, completing flight testing and ramping up production while ensuring economic viability are essential. Traditional methods prove slow and risky in this age of digitalization. A model-based approach, leveraging digital processes is emerging as a necessity for eVTOL success.

EASA roadmap on electric/hybrid propulsion systems.

Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) came to attention in 2018 when MIT flew an aircraft propelled by ionic wind. When high voltage is applied between two electrodes, the ion discharge between the electrodes entrains air molecules creating airflow. The airflow is then directed to generate lift and thrust. Researchers have obtained thrust to power ratios of 7–100N per kW from ionic wind thrusters, comparable to light helicopters. Ionic wind propulsion could power the ultimate electric aircraft using electricity directly to create thrust. Its advantages for an eVTOL would include silent operation and elimination of rotors, with fully distributed propulsion.

In the dynamic landscape of aerospace engineering, three critical themes emerge for the success of electric and hybrid flight: axial flux motors, type certification and propulsion efficiency. This presentation delves into their interplay and implications. Axial flux motors for aerospace: these cutting-edge motors are at the forefront of aerospace innovation. By leveraging their compact design and high-power density, Evolito enhances overall propulsion efficiency. The exploration of axial flux motors promises breakthroughs in weight reduction, performance optimization, and integrated redundancy. The role of type certification in electric propulsion: as electric and hybrid propulsion systems gain prominence, understanding their certification process becomes paramount. The presentation sheds light on the pivotal role of type certification in shaping the future of electric propulsion. Regulatory compliance, safety standards and scalability are key considerations. Reshaping airframe capabilities: propulsion efficiency directly impacts airframe design. By achieving greater energy conversion and minimizing losses, engineers can reimagine aircraft mission profiles, efficiency and performance. In summary, this exploration bridges technological boundaries, emphasizing the need for collaboration between motor design, certification regulations and airframe engineers. The future of aerospace hinges on these synergies, propelling us toward more sustainable, efficient and agile flight solutions.

Explore the future of sustainable transportation beyond traditional automobiles at this presentation, where Tobias Kahnert, CEO of EFT Mobility, will delve into innovative alternatives for the aviation industry. He will uncover how cutting-edge propulsion technologies like electric, hybrid and hydrogen-powered aircraft are revolutionizing air travel while reducing environmental impact. Discover how EFT Mobility is envisioning a greener, more efficient future. Engage in discussions on the transition process and the collaborative efforts needed to propel sustainable mobility forward.

This presentation delves into advanced air mobility (AAM) route attractiveness insights, analyzing 42 global cities across six variables and three use cases. It provides a comprehensive assessment of each city's potential for AAM deployment, highlighting terrain, weather, area specifics, airspace, authority regulations and time-saving benefits. This research offers crucial insights into the future of advanced air mobility and its practical application in diverse urban landscapes.

Rapid advancement of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and advanced air mobility (AAM) technologies presents groundbreaking opportunities for parapublic missions. This presentation explores the pivotal role of autonomy in eVTOL/AAM systems, particularly in the context of public service operations. Leveraging firsthand flight experiences, the speaker offers a unique perspective on how autonomy can transform parapublic eVTOL operations. By identifying the practical means to allow first responders, firefighters, EMS technicians and military service members to operate eVTOL aircraft safely and effectively, the presentation addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities inherent in the operation and training requirements of autonomous eVTOL aircraft.