PIASECKI AIRCRAFT CORP — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: C56-18e

Description

The growing United States urban population leaves the public with highways congested by individual and transportation traffic, neighborhoods and health diminished by mass carbon emissions, and an ever-increasing reliance upon fossil fuels.To address these harmful consequences of urban growth, the Department of Energy is partnering with small businesses to explore and develop the Aviation Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) industry as it relates to Urban Air Mobility (UAM).Throughout Phase I, the company will conduct a feasibility study into HFC UAMs, which includes: research into design criteria, performance, and total cost of ownership; designing a conceptual UAM fuel cell; and modelling HFCs against incumbent technologies, such as batteries and internal combustion engines.Phase II will include the modification of a company provided test asset to be used as a scaled demonstrator of an HFC powered UAM. Testing will be conducted to validate the modeling and assumptions conducted under Phase I.In the future, HFC UAMs will serve as on-demand and scheduled transportation modes throughout the urban United States. This will lead to a reduction of cars and trucks on the road and, consequently, reduce our carbon footprint on the planet, leaving a more sustainable and renewable world for future generations.