Man and Machine

Boeing dreamliner boasts of better fuel efficiency and is the only plane in the world which has used composite materials for most of its construction. As far as the exterior aerodynamic shape is concerned there is not much difference to its contemporaries although an attempt to do that was made. Early designs of the dreamliner featured thinner and more streamlined cockpit windows and a shark fin like vertical stabilizer.The early designs were revoked and a more conventional look was preferred.

The dreamliner uses the rolls royce engine to power its flight. Although advanced engine technology can contribute to better fuel efficiency, one technology that could be future of aeroplanes is the use of fuel cell. Hydrogen powered vehicles are not new to mankind. Depending on a simple chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and whose only by-product is water, it would be one of the biggest next generation energy source. Engineers have stated that hydrogen, if produced via nuclear or solar power could be a long term factor as an aviation fuel. Hydrogen has a high energy density per unit mass, but a low energy density per unit volume compared to currently used jet fuels.Therefore hydrogen would require a high pressure container and so would have to be stored in the fuselage or the main body section. Wings cannot hold the heavy containers as it would affect the overall balance. However, this technology like other technologies will also overcome the challenges.

Antares DLR-H2 is the worlds first piloted aircraft capable of taking off using only power from fuel cells. Some call it a motorized glider with zero emissions and lesser noise than a comparable aircraft. The Antares uses a new membrane technology in which a polymer called polybenzimidazole (used ion firefighters suits) is sandwiched between the cathode and the anode.The catalyst used here is platinum which splits the hydrogen into electrons and protons.The membrane is impermeable to the electrons and forces it to pass through the external circuit thus generating an electric current.

But what makes this membrane so special and how does it contribute to the design issue(weight of the fuel system).The membrane used is extremely heat resistant and can withstand operating temperatures of upto 180C and therefore it does not require humidifiers,water pumps, tanks, valves or cleaning systems. The other advantage is that the high operating systems prevents impurities in hydrogen to accumulate on platinum electrode. Also lesser components equal lesser cost and make the technology more commercially viable. If manufacturers do not want to use it as a fuel system to power the plane, it can also be used for onboard electricity supply and the by-product water can be used as "antifreeze".