Airbus and Toshiba Collaborate on Superconducting Technologies for Future Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft
Key Ideas
- Airbus and Toshiba's partnership aims to advance superconducting technologies for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
- The collaboration focuses on developing a superconducting motor with a two-megawatt output for improved energy efficiency.
- Both companies highlight the potential of superconducting technology in decarbonizing the aviation industry.
- Airbus has been working on testing superconducting technologies for a decade, while Toshiba has a long history of researching superconducting technology.
Airbus UpNext and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation have announced a collaboration to exchange experience on superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft. The goal is to leverage superconductivity to enhance energy efficiency and performance by utilizing liquid hydrogen for both fuel and cooling of electric drive systems. Grzegorz Ombach of Airbus and Tsutomu Takeuchi of Toshiba expressed optimism about overcoming current limitations and advancing superconducting motor technology for aerospace needs. The partners plan to jointly develop a two-megawatt superconducting motor. Airbus has a decade of experience in testing superconducting tech, while Toshiba has been researching superconducting applications for almost 50 years, showcasing a strong commitment to revolutionize the aerospace industry.