Airbus and Toshiba Collaborate on Super-Efficient Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft Motor
Key Ideas
  • Airbus and Toshiba are partnering to develop a superconducting motor for aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen, offering high efficiency and reduced emissions.
  • The use of superconducting materials cooled by liquid hydrogen allows for a lighter motor with a 97% powertrain efficiency rating, making it ideal for aviation.
  • This collaboration aims to surpass current limitations in electric motors and superconductivity technologies to enhance design possibilities for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
  • The agreement combines Airbus's Cryoprop demonstrator project with Toshiba's extensive experience in superconductivity motors, potentially revolutionizing aerospace industry technology.
Airbus has teamed up with Toshiba to work on a groundbreaking project to develop a highly-efficient superconducting motor for aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen is considered one of the most promising options for making aircraft emissions-free due to its high energy density and minimal emissions. However, its cryogenic nature and space requirements pose challenges. The collaboration between Airbus and Toshiba focuses on utilizing liquid hydrogen to cool a cryogenic superconducting electric motor, enabling a significant reduction in weight and a 97% powertrain efficiency. The lighter superconducting motor is three times lighter than conventional systems, offering a more powerful and efficient solution for aircraft propulsion. The partnership between Airbus and Toshiba marks a significant milestone in advancing superconducting motor technology for the aerospace industry. By combining Airbus's Cryoprop project and Toshiba's expertise in superconductivity motor prototypes, the collaboration aims to overcome existing limitations and unlock new design possibilities for future hydrogen-powered aircraft. With the potential to revolutionize aircraft technology, the superconducting motor project represents a crucial step towards achieving sustainable and efficient aviation.
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