2 Mar 2021

Thermoelectric Perpetual Submarine
In February 2021, The US agency DARPA awarded contracts to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Martin Defense Group (formerly Navatek) to build demonstration versions of the new Manta Ray unmanned underwater vehicle with an energy-harvesting system to power it indefinitely, allowing the robot submarine to carry out missions lasting months or years without returning to base or refueling.
2 Feb 2021

Alphabet Again Exits Drones: Others Again Jump In
In 2017, after four years of setbacks and crashes, Alphabet shut its project flying solar-powered fixed-wing drones in the upper atmosphere to beam the internet to those cut-off. They have now ended their upper-atmosphere balloon version as well.
External press release
18 Jan 2021

Machine Learning Making Light Work of AM Aerospace Alloys
Machine learning technology will be used to make the additive manufacturing process of metallic alloys for aerospace cheaper and faster, encouraging production of lightweight, energy-efficient aircraft to support net zero targets for aviation.
15 Jan 2021

New Solar Arrays to Power NASA's International Space Station Research
As the International Space Station orbits Earth, its four pairs of solar arrays soak up the sun's energy to provide electrical power for the numerous research and science investigations conducted every day, as well as the continued operations of the orbiting platform.
Topic overview
22 Dec 2020

Electric Aircraft for Flier Health
Progress is rapid with fixed-wing manned electric aircraft. The Bye Aerospace 2 and 4 seat battery-only e-Flyer got over $400 million in orders in one year and it is scalable.
External press release
22 Oct 2020

Boeing's Australian Unmanned Aircraft Completes First Taxi
The Boeing Loyal Wingman aircraft being developed with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) recently moved under its own power for the first time, a key milestone for the aircraft that's expected to make its first flight this year.
16 Sep 2020

Down to the Wire for Metal Additive Manufacturing
Metal powders are the most common feedstock used in metal additive manufacturing.
Update interview
6 Aug 2020

Gamma Alloys
Gamma Alloys are producers of metal matrix composites (MMC); they have recently pivoted to focus their attention on additive manufacturing. IDTechEx caught up with Mark Sommer (CEO).
21 Jul 2020

High Performing Hybrid Solar Energy Converter
Researchers are part of a team of scientists who have developed a hybrid solar energy converter that generates electricity and steam with high efficiency and low cost.