Fuel Cell Power Sources for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Currently, under a Phase I SBIR program funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Protonex is developing a fuel cell power system and fuel cartridge that will enable 8- to 12-hour endurance for backpackable UAVs. This follow-on Phase II program will focus primarily on developing 5-7% by weight (5-7 wt%) hydrogen fueling technology based on chemical hydride, as well as building lighter components from designs developed under the Phase I program. The proposed Phase II effort has four major technical objectives for development and innovation: development of a fueling cartridge gravimetrically high in useable hydrogen (over 5 wt% hydrogen); development of a fuel cell stack optimized for high specific power (1,000+ W/kg); systems development and integration, including water recovery and balance of plant components; and overall design, integration and testing of the final product. A 5% by weight useable hydrogen fueling subsystem and 1,000 W/kg fuel cell stack are the differentiating technologies that will enable production of a fuel cell system capable of powering an 8-hour UAV flight duration. Protonex has partnered with both fueling technology researchers and small UAV manufacturers for work on this Phase II program.