Long Endurance Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power Systems for Small UAVs

摘要

Adaptive Materials has developed solid oxide micro-tubular fell cell (SOFC) systems in the 20 to 250W power range. In the past year we demonstrated more than 4 hours of flight endurance with a small (2kg) propane fueled SOFC powered aircraft. In follow on efforts with the Air Force Research Laboratory we demonstrated 11 hours of endurance and more than 650 whr/kg energy density in ground tests of a fully integrated SOFC UAV power system. The use of energy dense hydrocarbons like propane enables AMI systems to operate at energy densities far greater than rechargeable batteries or other types of fuel cells. This technology and its performance characteristics have the ability to drastically increase the flight times of current small unmanned aerial vehicle platforms enabling radically new mission opportunities. Adaptive Materials presents its recent accomplishments in this advanced small UAV power source and the opportunities for the future.