The American University of Sharjah (AUS) has announced the
successful completion of a hydrogen fuel cell powered multi-rotor drone flight.
The university conducted the flight, which was the first flight of its kind
outside North America, in front of the AUS main building.
The team behind the drone flight includes Dr. Mohamed
Gadalla, professor in Mechanical Engineering, as the research team leader; Dr.
Sayem Zafar, a laboratory instructor in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering; and John Mempin, a research technician and certified pilot.
The drone flight has many ramifications for the future of
drones, “namely for parcel delivery, health care, first aid,
border patrol, infrastructure inspection, survey applications, rescue, media,
educational or environmental study,” Gadalla said.
The drone was powered by Proton Exchange Membrane hydrogen
fuel cells (PEMFC), which create electricity by decomposing hydrogen while using
water as exhaust. The drone was able to maintain steady hover and forward
flight.
“It is the first-ever outdoor flight of hydrogen fuel drone
flight with vertical take-off and landing capability,”
Zafar said. “Only two other companies have
done it before, and that was indoors only. This is a huge leap forward towards
more electric aircraft. The flight performs operational tasks, which makes it
unique and a practically usable drone.”
