When George Lucas imagined that cell-powered flying cars worked in his "Star Wars" prequels, he was not far to predict the future of transportation. With leading players in the field of the aerospace industry who favor the idea of electric and hybrid aircraft, the coming decades are ready to deploy the possibilities not only of flying cars, but also of long-range commercial flights driven By cell phones As the march towards electric and hybrid planes becomes more determined with each step, we find ourselves, once again, on the verge of turning reality into science fiction.
Why electric planes are in the works
When it comes to environmental impacts, the global aviation industry accounts for only 2% of greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is a growing environmental concern. Since 1990, the industry has witnessed an 83% increase in emission levels. The main reason for this has been the increasing number of aircraft propelled by fossil fuels that are launched into the sky. Gaseous emissions, however, can not be identified as the only environmental impact. Water vapor emissions at high altitudes cause a phenomenon called stelae. These residual escape plumes contribute to the effect of global warming by trapping the heat emanating from the surface of the Earth.
While adverse effects on the environment and stringent environmental regulatory standards are an important reason, they are not the only indicators to shift towards more ecological energy and propulsion systems. A move towards electric / hybrid propulsion systems can translate into a commercial advantage for the companies that invest in them. One of the most decisive advantages of electric motors is that they are lighter and cheaper than their gas turbine counterparts.
Electric and hybrid airplanes are no longer just a concept. The ecological and lucrative aspect of this transformation in the aviation industry is becoming a strong instigator for many companies. A major European budget airline recently announced that it is on track to launch a 180-seat, all-electric aircraft by 2027. By moving away from fossil fuels, the new design is able to reduce noise pollution by 50%, as well as Minimizing the cost for airlines by 10%.
Reimagining aircraft design: benefits and obstacles
The lighter weight of electric motors opens a world of possibilities for design. This particular advantage of the electric motor allows them to be easily incorporated into new designs, as well as existing designs compatible with electricity. An example of this that is prepared to significantly affect urban air mobility solutions is the use of electromagnetic energy in the next generation of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL). The flexibility of the electric cables gives them an obvious compatibility advantage with the orientation of the wing over the rigid fuel lines.
In terms of aerodynamic design, the prospects are also quite interesting. A new design that incorporates an electric motor can implement an efficient air intake in the boundary layer at the rear of the aircraft to reduce drag. The revolution in aircraft design goes one step further with the consideration of distributed propulsion. The distributed propulsion design could eliminate the conventional design of the tail plane, completely transferring the control of the angle of rotation to differential thrust even in the event of selective failure of the propeller.
The electrical revolution in aircraft design has already begun to take shape. A newly designed all-electric aircraft weighing 300 times less than a full-size fuel plane is capable of a 600-mile range flight powered by its 980kWh lithium-ion battery. The new version of the design equips the plane with a main propeller and two wing tip propellers.
There are, however, some challenges on the way to such a revolution. One of the most obvious obstacles to designing and implementing an electric / hybrid aircraft is that of an efficient energy source. A high-density power supply is required to ensure a lighter plane without the need to sacrifice in the flight range for intercontinental flights. Other challenges surrounding these new age aircraft include the management of high-voltage systems and the ratio of energy to speed. Thermal problems and tolerance offer obstacles from a mechanical engineering position. In a recent step forward, a British research group funded a 6.1 million pound sterling project to undertake research to overcome these obstacles. The project focuses on the development of high density power systems and the approach of thermal problems on high voltage surfaces inside the motor, such as gear teeth.
The heavens ahead
We have constantly started flying in the right direction. The promise of a cleaner flight over new and exciting borders has been attractive to companies around the world. An example that has come to the fore is that of Zunum Aero. The Seattle-based aerospace company plans to commercially deploy electric aircraft. It is estimated that the developing aircraft has a cruising speed of 545 kilometers per hour with a flight range of more than 1,100 kilometers. The revolutionary design of the aircraft features a V-shaped tail and an all-electric propulsion gear that drives twin engines.
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