University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Aerospace Engineering Fresh Air To clean up the aviation industry, NASA-funded scientists are working to develop an all-electric aircraft powered by cryogenically-liquified hydrogen fuel. The University of Illinois scientists behind the project nailed down $6 million over three years from NASA to develop the tech, according to a university-published press release — tech that could, if the project pans out, revolutionize the aviation industry. Dank Hydro Hydrogen is enjoying a bit of a moment as it finally becomes cost-effective. Europe is heavily investing in wind-hydrogen systems , and Germany recently unveiled a hydrogen-powered train . But current hydrogen cells lacked the energy density necessary to power a jet without also weighing it down too much. Cryogenically cooling the hydrogen could give rise to fuel cells dense and compact enough to do the trick, but the technology to power a plane with them doesn’t exist yet — which is where the NASA funding comes in. “Advances in recent years on non-cryogenic machines and drives have brought electric propulsion of commercial regional jets closer to reality, but practical cryogenic systems remain the ‘holy grail’ for large aircraft because of their unmatched power density and […]
Latest Articles
This Parisian Hotel Is a ‘Living Building’ With a Glorious Green Facade
Takeaways: Villa M. in the south of Paris is hotel that is dramatically covered in plants.
The plant façade is intended to grow into...
No More Russian Oil: How Europe Could Cut 35% Of Its Transport Oil Demand
Takeaways: The UK and the European Union have announced plants to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of 2022.
Almost all of...
Lessons from Panda Conservation Could Help Asia’s Other, Overlooked, Bears
Takeaways: Pandas conservation efforts are largely due to the public attention they have gotten over the years which have led to significant funding to...
A Massive Solar Power Farm Will Be Built in California Desert
Takeaways: A major solar energy project, the Crimson Solar Project will be built in the Californian desert.
Once completed, it will have the capacity...
A 1,000-Pound Great White Shark just Spotted Off Coast of New Jersey
Takeaways: A 1000 pound great white shark was spotted off the coast of New Jersey.
This shark, Ironbound, has traveled an estimated 13,000 miles...
Shoes Made from Grapes and Mushroom Handbags: the Rise of Animal-free Leather
Takeaways: Plant-based leather helps upcycle an existing waste stream, disconnects from the cattle industry and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Major fashion brands...
