SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Multirotor unmanned areal vehicles (MRUAV) are excellent for surveillance and agility However, These systems have an inherent flaw of short flight time where almost no systems can last longer than 60 min with many systems only having 30 min or less of active flight time. The proposed Technology combines a novel Hydrogen storage system using a kinetically modified magnesium hydride self regulating hydrogen generator with a light weight water reclaiming PEM fuel cell. This technology can achieve a system with an effective 8% by weight hydrogen storage vs 3-4% by weight H2 storage that is typical with a high pressure tank . This novel system will allow longer flight times on all UAV types but specifically be able to extend MRUAV flight times longer than one hour with retained performance and reasonable payload capacity. This phase I program will show these systems in a TRL 4 scenario and the phase II program will demonstrate a flyable platform with over 1hr flight time showing TRL level 6. These systems can be used on new UAV's built specifically for this type of power supply but they can also be installed on existing equipment to enhance its military performance envelope. Powdermet will be providing a 100% US based supply chain for the consumable fuel source and both provide and or certify PEM fuel cell systems that utilize the MAG2 fuel source.
