Airbus And Toshiba To Collaborate On Superconductivity Research
Nov 20, 2024
Tokyo, October 16, 2024 - Airbus UpNext, a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus, and Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation (Toshiba), the energy division of Toshiba Group, will collaborate to share experiences in superconducting technology for future hydrogen-powered aircraft.
In the pursuit of decarbonising the aviation industry, hydrogen-powered aircraft are one of the promising solutions for achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Superconducting technology offers unique advantages to these aircraft by using liquid hydrogen at -253 ° C as fuel, while also efficiently cooling the electric propulsion system. Cryogenic technology allows power transmissionwithin an aircraft's electrical system to be virtually unaffected, significantly improving its energy efficiency and performance.
Grzegorzywumba, senior vice president and head of Disruptive Research and Development at Airbus, said: "The collaboration with Toshiba offers a unique opportunity to go beyond the limitations of today's partially superconducting and conventional motors. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that can unlock new design possibilities, particularly for Airbus' hydrogen-powered aircraft of the future. This partnership is a natural and necessary step in advancing superconducting motor technology to meet the needs of the aerospace industry."
"Toshiba's expertise in high-current superconducting technology, precise current controlled motor drive technology and advanced rotary machinery technology for stable high speed operation provides a solid foundation for this partnership. We both recognize the great potential of superconducting technology to shape the future of aircraft and drive the decarbonization of the aviation industry. We are confident that our collaboration with Airbus will play a key role in advancing the next generation of technologies in the aerospace sector, "said Toru Takeuchi, Toshiba's corporate officer in charge of the power systems business and director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions.
The partners aim to jointly develop a two-megawatt superconducting motor.
The agreement was signed at the Japan Aerospace Show in Tokyo 2024 by Dr. Grzegorzowbach, senior vice president and head of disruptive research and development at Airbus, and Toru Takeuchi, Toshiba's corporate official in charge of the power systems business and director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions. They were joined by Luiz Ibanez, head of Cryogenic propeller Demonstrator and Cryogenic technology at Airbus, and Kensuke Suzuki, head of new technology at Airbus UpNext and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions' Power Systems Division.
Over the past 10 years, Airbus has been working to reduce the risks of superconducting technology. Most recently, Airbus UpNext launched Cryopro p, a demonstrator to test a two megawatt class superconducting electric propulsion system. Toshiba has been conducting research and development of superconducting technology applications for nearly half a century, and in June 2022 released its own prototype of a two-megawatt superconducting motor for mobile applications.
The Airbus Japan Technology Center was announced in May 2024. The initiative aims to develop partnerships in the country to advance research, technology and innovation in the aerospace sector, pushing boundaries and preparing for the next generation of aircraft. The Toshiba-Airbus partnership is the first result of Japan's efforts to achieve this goal.