<
https://singularityhub.com/2022/07/18/electric-seagliders-could-enable-short-haul-emissions-free-air-travel-this-decade/>
"Electrifying aviation could help tackle the sector’s serious emissions
problems, but battery-powered passenger jets are still some way off.
All-electric seagliders that skim the waves like pelicans could hit the market
much sooner, though.
Efforts are underway to wean aircraft off fossil fuels and onto electric
propulsion, but batteries are still a long way from being able to go toe-to-toe
with jet fuel. The problem is energy density; a little bit of kerosene goes a
long way, but today’s leading lithium-ion batteries carry too much weight and
not enough juice for the stringent requirements of the aviation sector.
At present, most startups in this space are working on electric vertical
takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for short hops within or between cities.
It’s likely to be the second half of the century before battery technology
reaches the point where it’s able to power large commercial airliners.
But a novel seaplane design that harnesses a phenomena called “ground effect”
to significantly boost flight efficiency could help accelerate the adoption of
electric aviation. And its creator, Boston-based startup Regent Craft, recently
partnered with Hawaiian carrier Mokulele Airlines to launch a regional flight
network by 2025."
Via Rixty Dixet.
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
