Airbus

First 3D printed part to fly in a commercial jet engine

The first 3D-printed part certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly inside GE commercial jet engines.

Ultra lightweight motors for electric drones and airliners

Newcastle University in the UK was chosen by Boeing to develop an ultra-lightweight electric motor for an upper atmosphere electric aircraft. These spidery fixed-wing aircraft can have the wingspan of a jumbo jet but the weight of a small car.

World-record electric motor for aircraft

Siemens researchers have developed a new type of electric motor that, with a weight of just 50 kilograms, delivers a continuous output of about 260 kilowatts - five times more than comparable drive systems.

Research on use of fuel cells for commercial airliners

Airbus and South Africa's National Aerospace Centre are to jointly fund research by Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) into the application of fuel cells on airliners.

Drones employed to inspect easyJet's fleet of 220 Airbus aircraft

easyJet, the UK's largest airline, has announced it is working with the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), a partnership between the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), to modify existing technology so that drones can be employed to inspect its fleet of 220 Airbus aircraft.

Electric E-Fan aircraft demonstrates airborne e-mobility

The successful first public flight of the electric E-Fan experimental aircraft was the highlight of Airbus Group's E-Aircraft Day in Bordeaux, France.

3D Printing- Application Assessment

Historically, 3D printing applications have been focused on prototyping in major industries such as aerospace and automotive since the 1990s. The main value chain was simple with the printer manufacturer acquiring parts and chemicals to build a turn-key solution including both the printer and all consumables for industrial users. This article highlights findings from the latest IDTechEx report on 3D Printing Applications

Airbus signs MoU to develop airliner electric taxi system

As part of on-going research and development into future technology options, Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EGTS International, a joint venture company between Safran and Honeywell Aerospace, to further develop and evaluate an autonomous electric pushback and taxiing solution for the A320 Family.

OXIS Energy

Oxis Energy is a lithium sulphur battery technology developer company based in the UK. It is one of the few companies developing this technology. Targeting the automotive, defense and energy storage market the company has developed partnerships and received invesments from companies across the whole value chain of the electric vehicle industry.

Boost for energy storage of super capacitors

Researchers have developed a technique to increase the energy storage capabilities of supercapacitors, essential devices for powering high-speed trains, electric cars, and the emergency doors of the Airbus A380.

Discovery boosts energy storage of supercapacitors

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a technique to increase the energy storage capabilities of supercapacitors.

Aircraft energy harvesting modules tested

An idea from EADS and Vienna University of Technology is taking off: in a joint project, Energy Harvester Modules suitable for aircrafts have been tested, which should supply sensor nodes with electrical power in the future.

Supercapacitors improving faster than batteries

Supercapacitors replace lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries replace nickel metal hydride and lead acid batteries. There are side stories of course. Some supercapacitors replace electrolytic capacitors and others create new applications. However, in this article, we concentrate on replacing lithium-ion batteries.

New research grants to enhance the use of wonder material

Research projects that will focus on how to enhance the 'manufacturability' of graphene, one of the thinnest, strongest and most conductive materials known to man, are to receive £21.5 million in funding.

Supercapacitors to the rescue

Supercapacitors are improving much faster than lithium-ion batteries and their marketing is now more imaginative, many applications not involving batteries being opened up.

Supercapacitors to the rescue

They call it the Bad Dreamliner because the new Boeing jet has been beset with electrical problems. When new, the Airbus A380 also had electrical problems but they were caught at an early stage. This time it has been more dramatic. In one instance a fire raged in the belly of a Boeing 787 parked at Logan International Airport in the USA. Flames were doused that emanated from the lithium-ion battery compartment. Investigations continue to determine the precise origin of that problem but the air industry is acutely aware that lithium-ion batteries have caused extreme incidents before.

Cambridge winner of government funding to research 'super material'

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have been awarded £12 million to aid their research into graphene - a material scientists claim has unparalleled capabilities.