In an increasingly competitive market for next-generation aircraft engine technology, ZeroAvia has announced its acquisition of Finnish firm HyPoint. Founded in 2015 and based in Helsinki, HyPoint develops ultra-lightweight hydrogen fuel cell stacks for drones and other light vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The company’s proprietary technology is also well suited to hybrid electric airplane designs. In response to the growing demand for hybrid electric engines across all types of aircraft manufacturers, ZeroAvia sees disruptive new solutions like those provided by HyPoint as key to future success. “We see this as a significant forward step for ZeroAvia, and a hugely important strategic step to strengthen our leadership position in hydrogen-electric powertrain development for aviation,” according to CEO Val Miftakhov.
ZeroAvia Acquires HyPoint
HyPoint’s lightweight and high-performance hydrogen fuel cells are designed to provide power for small VTOL aircraft, plus ground support equipment such as air compressors and sensors. These units feature very low emissions, with no CO or particulate matter released, and no CO2 formation. They can be either directly integrated into the aircraft power system, or used for ground support. Due to their extremely lightweight design and ease of integration, these fuel cells are ideally suited for use in small VTOL aircraft such as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and autonomous vehicles (AVs). HyPoint fuel cells use a solid-electrolyte-fuel (SEF) electrolyte, which is less than 1mm thick, and a solid anode. This design avoids the use of liquids and the weight and risk of leaks associated with the use of liquid hydrogen. It also eliminates the need of a pressurized system, making the units suitable for ground support equipment. This design also results in a shorter charge time, due to the high electrical conductivity of the SEF electrolyte.
Acquired IP and Technology
HyPoint has developed a unique electrolyte that offers high performance, low weight, and low cost. The company’s electrolyte has been tested in a real-life fuel cell stack and shown excellent performance in terms of power density and stability. HyPoint’s fuel cell design has been validated through testing of an electrolyte-on-anode (EOA) fuel cell stack, which shows that the electrolyte is robust enough to withstand high temperatures and pressures. In addition, HyPoint’s fuel cell design has been optimized to work with a wide range of hydrogen feedstocks including high-pressure cryogenic liquid hydrogen.
HyPoint’s Future Role in ZeroAvia’s Portfolio
HyPoint’s technology provides an excellent alternative to existing hydrogen fuel cell systems. A key advantage is that the technology can be integrated into small UAVs and other battery-powered aircraft. This eliminates the need for a hydrogen storage system and its associated weight, complexity, and cost. HyPoint’s electrolyte can be processed with existing thin-film electrolyzer manufacturing methods. This makes it easy to scale up production and to integrate with existing electrolyzer suppliers. This also makes the technology amenable to high-volume production and low costs for fuel cells for small UAVs. HyPoint’s technology can also be integrated into larger hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft. This includes hybrid electric airplane designs, a market segment where HyPoint’s technology provides a highly disruptive solution.
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