By Lance Cpl. Chelsea Flowers, Marines Magazine
Need energy to charge your phone or Unmanned Aircraft System? Just add water.
The AEROPAK is a new technological advancement allowing water to power electronic devices such as cell phones and unmanned aircraft systems. While still being tested, the system could increase surveillance and flight hours in combat zones as well as lower operation costs and downtime for battery charging. (Image courtesy of Horizon Energy Systems)
Horizon Energy Systems has developed a new type of process that produces electricity by mixing water with the chemical, hydride. The electrochemical reaction between the hydride and the hydrogen and oxygen in water produces hydrogen, which powers their AEROPAK fuel-cell system.
Showcased at the 2011 Marine Corps Expo in Quantico, Va., the AEROPAK is comparable to a battery, but offers three times more energy than the lithium-polymer batteries currently in use. Designed as a drop-in replacement for battery packs, the system is ideal for use in Unmanned Aircraft Systems by providing longer flight hours, increased surveillance, lower operational costs and minimal downtime for battery charging. While lithium batteries last for about two hours, the AEROPAK will power the UAS for eight hours, increasing the possibility of 24-hour surveillance for increased security in deployed environments.
The AEROPAK is also a compact, ultra-lightweight, extremely reliable, and safe energy source for more than just unmanned aircraft. The system can power other electronic devices such as phones, ipods and radios.
Similar fuel-cell systems are being developed and tested for use in wider field and equipment applications.
This article first appeared on www.marinesmagazine.dodlive.mil.
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