Energy Scavenging to Power Fielded Unmanned Aerial Systems

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) provide strategic advantage for our nation’s warfighters, and the use of micro- and small-scale platforms on the battlefield is expected to increase significantly in coming years. This presents a logistical challenge in managing how system batteries are recharged throughout the UAS lifespan. The desired goal is to develop power systems that enable persistent deployment through energy scavenging techniques that 1) prolong UAS flight time, and 2) offer the ability to recharge in the field without need to return to base. Luna and partners at University of Michigan will use a new class of active material as part of a hybrid multi-input energy harvesting system to meet both design objectives. This approach will provide military the ability to fabricate UAS from materials that inherently convert energy from operational conditions and combine this with available sources identified in the local ambient environments. Luna’s team will leverage expertise in material fabrication, multimodal energy harvester designs, and efficient power conditioning and storage strategies to model, design, and develop weight conscious, robust power systems that can be scaled and adapted across multiple UAS platforms to ensure reliable and resilient operation to support the safety and effectiveness of our military personnel.