Dr Pei’s team will develop a new aircraft electrical power system using liquid nitrogen as fuel, reducing in-flight carbon emissions. (Credit: malp)
Dr Pei's team will develop a new aircraft electrical power system using liquid nitrogen as fuel, reducing in-flight carbon emissions. (Credit: malp) - Bath researcher awarded £1.4 million grant to investigate zero-emissions aircraft powertrains A new £1.4 million project to develop game-changing hydrogen-powered electric aircraft is set to begin at the University of Bath. Renowned researcher Dr Xiaoze Pei, Director of Research Quality in the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS), is aiming to develop new power systems that will help to reduce the environmental impact of air travel, after being awarded a prestigious five-year EPSRC Open Fellowship. As the aviation industry faces challenges to reduce carbon emissions and a need to develop new technologies, electric aircraft present a host of potential benefits including eliminating in-flight emissions and reducing noise, while the liquid hydrogen fuel needed could be created using renewable energy. Entitled Towards Zero Emissions Electric Aircraft through Superconducting DC Distribution Network , the fellowship will develop answers to hurdles that have until now stood in the way of hydrogen-powered aircraft taking to the skies, namely questions around the power density and efficiency, safety and reliability of on-board electric distribution network. Dr Pei's ground-breaking research has been widely recognized and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the UK Aerospace Technology Institute, and the Royal Society.
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