Electrical aircraft powered by fuel cells.
Revolutionary Sodium-Powered Fuel Cell Could Propel Electric Planes
A team of US researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation—a sodium-powered fuel cell that could potentially offer a viable solution for powering electric planes over extended distances. The fuel cell, which operates by using liquid sodium and oxygen from the air, boasts triple the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, making electric flight a more feasible reality.
The sodium-powered fuel cell operates by utilizing liquid metallic sodium as fuel, and oxygen from the air as the oxidizer. This generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction, with a solid ceramic electrolyte facilitating the passage of sodium ions. At the porous air electrode, sodium reacts with oxygen to produce electricity while electrons flow through the external circuit to power devices.
The researchers envision the fuel cell as a hybrid between a battery and a fuel cell, as it works similarly to a battery but does not require charging—depending on liquid sodium instead. This rapid refueling process is comparable to conventional refueling methods and significantly faster than battery charging, enhancing operational turnaround times.
When sodium is used as fuel, sodium oxide is produced as exhaust gas. If emitted during aircraft operation, this gas would combine with CO2 in the air, effectively neutralizing harmful greenhouse gases. The researchers also suggest that soda eventually turns into sodium carbonate, or baking soda, which, if it ends up in the sea, could contribute to the neutralization of water and aid in mitigating another harmful effect of greenhouse gases.
Experiments with the prototype revealed an energy density of the sodium-air fuel cell exceeding 1000 watt-hours per kilogram, far surpassing today's lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, which reach a maximum of about 300 watt-hours per kilogram. While this system would only be suitable for regional flights, not transcontinental or transatlantic flights, it addresses a significant challenge in electric aviation—energy density limitations that restrict range and payload.
The team plans to develop a fuel cell the size of a brick from the current prototype, which would provide approximately 1000 watt-hours of energy—enough to power a large drone. This practical demonstration will showcase the concept and pave the way for the first flying prototype expected to be ready within the next year.
Sodium, which is primarily extracted from salt, is abundant, widely distributed, and easy to obtain—unlike lithium and other materials used in today's electric vehicle batteries. The fuel cell is also deemed relatively safe as sodium is reactive but contained within the fuel cell, with stable ceramics and controlled air supply minimizing risks.
- Keywords: Sodium-Powered Fuel Cell, Electric Planes, Innovation, Aviation
The sodium-powered fuel cell, an innovation in aviation, operates by utilizing liquid metallic sodium as fuel and oxygen from the air as the oxidizer, generating electricity through an electrochemical reaction. This energy source, when used in electric planes, could potentially neutralize harmful greenhouse gases, making it a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to current lithium-ion batteries in energy policy, given its relative safety and abundance of sodium compared to other materials used in electric vehicles.
