수소 고체 카트리지 기반 연료전지 드론 개발에 관한 연구

초록

This study aimed to enhance the endurance and efficiency of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by integrating solid-state hydrogen storage cartridges into fuel cell systems. Conventional drones powered by lithium-ion batteries are limited to approximately 20 minutes of flight time and suffer from long recharging periods and safety concerns. To address these issues, lightweight cartridges based on Ti–Mn Laves-phase AB₂ alloys were designed and fabricated, then integrated with an air-breathing PEM fuel cell stack operating under dead-end anode conditions. Experimental results demonstrated a reversible hydrogen storage capacity of 1.52 wt%, a refueling time within 10 minutes, and a flight endurance of 42 minutes—exceeding the initial design targets. Moreover, optimized purge scheduling and thermal-water management ensured stable stack operation. These findings confirm the feasibility of solid hydrogen cartridge-based drones and highlight their potential for commercialization and wider applications in mobility and portable power systems.

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