Solar Airplane; First Flight

[LMagic007]

Interesting articles on superconducting electric turbo fans

An all-electric aircraft could soon appear over the horizon thanks to high-flying scientific research published today in the Institute of Physics‘ journal, Superconductor Science and Technology. The new type of aircraft, currently on the drawing board, could be far more efficient than conventional aircraft, produce less greenhouse emissions, and be quieter.

Superconducting motors could be one such alternative, according to scientists in America. Philippe Masson and Cesar Luongo from Florida State University, who have collaborated with Gerald Brown at NASA and Danielle Soban at Georgia Institute of Technology, explain that because superconductors lose no energy through electrical resistance, they could be very efficient components for a new type of aircraft propulsion.

Masson adds that the team is now looking for an industrial partner to build a prototype of the superconducting "turbofan". "The technology is there," he says, "it is a matter of finding a source of funding."

All electric aircraft over the horizon « Envirofuel - Promoting sustainable mobility

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0619183236.htm

http://www.gizmag.com/go/7459/

[Karl]

Originally Posted by forfismum

Anyone remember Icarus ?

That reference to the sun and flying was not about its literal interpretation - - it was more along the figurative lines of not listening to the elders advice and "flying too high" followed by an inevitable crash, while the others (as part of the "escape") were more moderate in their usage and got by without permanent adverse effect.

[LMagic007]

A few articles on superconducting electric motors;

Superconducting Electric Motor Car: Science Fiction in the News

Superconducting Motors

Electric motors

[LMagic007]

Trina To Provide PV Cells for Hybrid Airplane

Changzhou, China [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
Trina Solar Limited has announced a cooperation agreement with LISA Airplanes for the building of the Hy-Bird, a solar and hydrogen powered airplane that is set to be the first to fly around the world using only renewable energies.

The Hy-Bird, a solar and hydrogen powered airplane, is set to be the first to fly around the world using only renewable energies.

Trina To Provide PV Cells for Hybrid Airplane

LISA Airplanes carries out advanced studies in the area of electrical propulsion and renewable energies. The future for leisure aviation will undoubtedly lead to a need for a reduction in noise and CO2 pollution. A ’plane with an optimized aerodynamic form is better adapted for electrical propulsion than a land vehicle. LISA Airplanes is undertaking an ambitious R&D program with the big industrials and laboratories of the Rhône-Alpes region of France. The Spirit of Savoy will fly from Chambéry in France to New York, thus materializing the work of our partners in the fields of solar energy, fuel cells, lithium-ion polymer batteries and electrical conversion.

http://www.lisa-airplanes.com/uk/hy-bird/hy-bird.php

http://www.lisa-airplanes.com