Recently, a group of researchers has developed a drone called CoulombFlycapable of flying autonomously using only solar energy. This drone, with a decidedly unique design, combines solar cells, a converter voltage and an electrostatic motor to drive a propeller similar to that of a helicopter. All components have been optimized to achieve a balance between efficiency and lightness.
An Extraordinary Innovation
The CoulombFly It is designed for take advantage of the sunlight and stay in flight as long as there is sufficient sunlight. However, before you get excited about buying one, it is important to know some limitations. It does not have an on-board control system and it is not capable of direct flight, so in the open air it would be carried by the wind. Also, many of the components are quite fragile. The good news is that the design can be miniaturized, and researchers they have already built a version that weighs only 9 milligrams.
How the drone engine works CoulombFly?
Key to this development was the realization that most drones use electromagnetic motors, which are heavy due to the numerous metal coils. The team then developed a lightweight electrostatic motor. This motor uses the attraction and repulsion of charges to work, as opposed to magnetic interactions. The engine consists of a ring interior of statically charged plates called stator, composed of a thin sheet of carbon fiber covered with aluminum. A ring of 64 rotating plates surrounds the statorand the movement is ensured by the transfer of charges between these plates.
Ready to fly
The cells solar panels used are made with a thin film of gallium arsenide, which offers a30% conversion efficiency. However, this system requires a converter of high-efficiency voltage. Researchers have created a voltage converter that, while sacrificing some efficiency, is extremely lightweight.
During testing, the CoulombFly was able to stay aloft for more than an hour using sunlight, using just over half a watt of power to stay in the air. Despite the current limitations, researchers are confident that there is room for improvement, especially to increase engine torque and solar cell efficiency.
This ultralight drone represents a major leap forward in unmanned aerial vehicle technology. Although currently limited in its capabilities, the possibility of optimization are promising. What do you think about this innovation? You would like see solar drones in daily use?
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