Supervisors: Prof. Carsten Braun (FH Aachen), Prof. Pier Marzocca (RMIT) and Dr Graham Dorrington (RMIT)
Option 1 Design of FC-based Propulsion Systems for Aircraft
Project: This project is concerned with the development of a methodology for the design of fuel-cell (FC) based propulsion systems for propeller driven aircraft. This methodology requires the development of suitable single field models for propulsor, fuel cell and airframe aerodynamics and appropriate coupling procedures. High-fidelity simulation approaches and component tests will be performed for validation purposes. Use cases will be studied to demonstrate the capabilities of the methodology.
Option 2 Integration of FC Propulsion Systems in Aircraft
Project: In this project, aspects of the integration of fuel cell systems in aircraft are to be considered. For this purpose, technologies are to be investigated that allow the integration of the system components while taking into account environmental influences (vibrations, pressures, temperatures) and lightweight construction requirements. On the functional level, investigations will be necessary to enable functional integration while taking into account the safety standards in aviation.
Option 3 Integration of Batteries in All-Electric Aircraft
Project: In this project, methods and technologies are to be investigated that enable the integration of large battery systems in airframes. For this purpose, concepts, construction methods, and production methods have to be developed and assessed under consideration of lightweight design aspects, high safety standards and operational requirements. Solutions must take into account airframe loads, aeroelastic behaviour of the airframe, crash, thermal aspects, producibility, and maintainability.
