Hydrogen Infrastructure in Airports | Magic Angle for Superconductors | Fusion Power Startup | Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft
Airbus Calls For Use Of Hydrogen In Airports
2/15/2021
Turning airports into hubs for hydrogen aircraft and infrastructure is an ambitious goal that could put the Paris region on target for zero emission aircraft by 2035. Airbus, Paris Region, Groupe ADP, and Air France-KLM want to explore the possibility. Calling it an “open innovation initiative,” the International Choose Paris Region agency hopes to ignite innovation that will lead to a hydrogen ecosystem and fuel growth in the region. Read more via Railly News
The quest for the magic angle
2/24/2021
Physicists at Leiden University are testing graphene as a superconductor. They have found that if they angle and twist layers of graphene, the material develops superconducting qualities. “It sounds a bit mad, but at a magic angle of 1.1 degrees, electrons in the two layers start to sense each other more; they’re able to interact. That results in unique characteristics, one of which is superconductivity.” says Tjerk Benschop, a Ph. D. Candidate. The hope is that this research will provide insight into the complex physics of superconductivity, and lead to a more practical superconductor that retains its properties at the “warm” temperature of liquid nitrogen. Read more via Phys.org
Fusion startup plans reactor with small but powerful superconducting magnets
3/3/2021
High-temperature superconductors could be key to producing carbon-free energy with nuclear fusion. Commonwealth Fusion Systems of Massachusetts will begin building its SPARC reactor later this year. The plan is to put rare-earth barium copper oxide into a superconducting state at at a realtively high temperature, this material is superconducting at 10 K (-441.67 F). Current fusion reactors require cooling with liquid helium to 4 K (-452.47 F). Read more via Science
Dutch Students Just Unveiled the World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft
3/8/2021
The Phoenix PT aircraft is built to fly for more than seven hours with two pounds of liquid hydrogen on board. It was designed by students at Delft University as part of the AeroDelft project. Hydrogen fuel is cleaner than fossil fuels, the only by-product is water. Students chose liquid hydrogen because it is energy-dense, so less fuel is needed onboard. Liquid hydrogen holds promise as a zero-emissions aircraft fuel, but safety, infrastructure, and extraction issues will need to be addressed. Read more via Robb Report
THIS WEEK’S FEATURE:
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