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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240722T100000
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DTSTAMP:20260603T110659
CREATED:20240712T174714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240712T174714Z
UID:11720-1721642400-1721649600@seasevents.nmsdev7.com
SUMMARY:CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: "MEMS-Based Electrochemical Power Sources for Extended Operational Duration of Micro Unmanned Vehicles” (Yanghang Huang)
DESCRIPTION:Abstract: \nMicro unmanned vehicles\, defined as 25-gram to 5-kg in weight\, are increasingly being utilized in applications such as search and rescue or agricultural monitoring. Such vehicles are typically powered with lithium-ion batteries. However\, vehicle operational efficiency and capability are often compromised by the limited energy density of these batteries\, resulting in short operational duration. This dissertation explores high-energy chemistries beyond lithium-ion batteries\, including metal-air batteries and fuel cells\, as power sources to significantly extend the operational duration of both the kilogram-scale and gram-scale micro unmanned vehicles. \nThree different power source chemistries are proposed and investigated for different types of micro unmanned vehicles: gram-scale micro unmanned-ground-vehicles; gram-scale micro unmanned-aerial-vehicles; and kilogram-scale micro unmanned-aerial-vehicles. \n1. Gram-Scale Unmanned-Ground-Vehicles: Micro zinc-air batteries are developed for extended operation durations for gram-scale unmanned-ground-vehicles. The lean electrolyte operation of the battery enhances its gravimetric performance; however\, this approach suffers from rapid electrolyte degradation\, limiting battery performance. The study identifies carbonation and slow zincate decomposition as the main degradation mechanisms. Based on these findings\, a discharge energy model is developed\, successfully predicting the discharge performance of the micro zinc-air battery. Insights from the degradation study are used to enhance the electrochemical performance of micro zinc-air batteries\, demonstrating their potential to significantly extend the operation duration of gram-scale unmanned ground vehicles. \n2. Gram-Scale Micro Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicles: Due to the higher power requirements of gram-scale unmanned aerial vehicles\, micro aluminum-air batteries are developed as onboard power sources. The cell design and cell packaging of the battery are optimized to achieve an energy density of 320 Wh/kg above a power density of 500 W/kg\, far surpassing the performance of equivalent commercial lithium-ion batteries. A 3D-printed small-scale quadrotor platform is used to evaluate flight duration\, with the micro aluminum-air battery delivering 13.1 minutes of flight time compared to the 4.5 minutes of the commercial micro lithium-ion battery. This demonstration also marks the first successful untethered flight of a gram-scale micro unmanned-aerial-vehicle powered by air batteries. Additionally\, cathode fabrication techniques are explored\, utilizing a Ag-based cathode developed through microfabrication techniques to maximize the electrochemically active surface area. This cathode can support the necessary power density for the small-scale quadrotor while offering a potential cost reduction of 1/1500th of that of conventional cathodes. This work highlights the potential of micro aluminum-air batteries to serve as efficient\, cost-effective\, and long-lasting power sources for gram-scale unmanned-aerial-vehicles. \n3. Kilogram-Scale Micro Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicles: For kilogram-scale micro unmanned-aerial-vehicles\, solid oxide fuel cells are investigated. A flight duration model is first developed\, showing that the solid oxide fuel cell is promising for significantly extending the flight duration. To meet the power requirement of the kilogram-scale micro unmanned-aerial-vehicle\, a microfabrication process for thin-film solid oxide fuel cells is developed\, aiming to increase its power performance. While preliminary results confirm the successful fabrication of the thin-film cell\, scaling the technology to power the kilogram-scale micro unmanned-aerial-vehicle remains a significant challenge. \nThis work demonstrates that high-energy-density electrochemical power sources with simultaneous high-power-density for micro unmanned vehicles are feasible. Such unconventional high-energy power sources\, including zinc-air batteries\, aluminum-air batteries\, and solid oxide fuel cells\, show significant potential to substantially extend operational durations of multiple micro unmanned vehicle types.
URL:https://seasevents.nmsdev7.com/event/cbe-doctoral-dissertation-defense-mems-based-electrochemical-power-sources-for-extended-operational-duration-of-micro-unmanned-vehicles-yanghang-huang/
LOCATION:Room 221\, Singh Center for Nanotechnology\, 3205 Walnut Street\, Philadelphia\, PA\, 19104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Doctoral,Student,Dissertation or Thesis Defense
ORGANIZER;CN="Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering":MAILTO:cbemail@seas.upenn.edu
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