Registration Open

Morning Breakfasts In Networking Exhibition Area

Continental Breakfast, Fresh Scrambled Eggs, Hickory Smoked Bacon, Country Style Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes

Chairman’s Opening Address

Strategies For Accelerating Commercialization Of The Future Air Mobility Industry

• Learn about the importance of finalizing designs and building conforming prototypes to kickstart testing processes essential for meeting certification timelines

• Understand the necessity for both manufacturers and suppliers to prioritize the development of robust production systems to meet entry-into-service deadlines

• Explore how the industry’s evolution may lead to a clearer understanding of successful technologies, designs, and business models, potentially resulting in consolidation and streamlining of talent and ideas

• Discover the critical role of infrastructure projects, including vertiports and facilities supporting innovative propulsion designs like battery-electric charging and hydrogen, in meeting lead time requirements

• Gain insights into how companies with innovative ideas and strong execution capabilities are likely to attract continued funding, driving the industry’s growth and development

Navigating The Complexities Of eVTOL Technology

• Explore the unique challenge of maintaining consistent aircraft weight throughout flight, prohibiting emergency fuel dumping and necessitating innovative solutions for landing with the same weight as take-off

• Delve into the debate surrounding human pilots versus autonomous systems in eVTOL operations, recognizing the immense challenges and safety concerns associated with fully automated flight in busy urban environments

• Acknowledge that while automation technology is advancing, achieving full autonomy for eVTOLs in densely populated areas may still be decades away, emphasizing the need for continued innovation and development in the field

• Recognize that while eVTOLs hold promise for revolutionizing urban mobility, significant technological hurdles must be overcome before widespread passenger operations become feasible, underscoring the importance of a cautious and methodical approach to implementation

• Understand the technical intricacies surrounding battery operation and lifespan in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, crucial for ensuring safe and sustainable flight operations

Challenges And Opportunities For Fly-By-Wire Flight Control Systems In eVTOL Aircraft

• Delve into the complexities and prospects of fly-by-wire flight control systems for eVTOL aircraft, exploring both challenges and opportunities

• Explore the distinct challenges eVTOL aircraft pose to fly-by-wire systems, including rapid response times, diverse flight modes, and redundancy requirements

• Discuss strategies for ensuring the safety and reliability of fly-by-wire systems in eVTOLs, including fault-tolerant designs, redundancy protocols, and real-time monitoring

• Explore how advanced fly-by-wire technologies can enhance the performance of eVTOL aircraft, improving stability, manoeuvrability, and energy efficiency

• Address regulatory hurdles and certification requirements associated with implementing fly-by-wire systems in eVTOLs, and discuss potential pathways for overcoming these challenges

• Examine emerging trends and innovations in fly-by-wire technology that have the potential to shape the future of eVTOL flight control systems, paving the way for safer, more efficient urban air mobility

Strategies For Efficient Landing Control For eVTOL Vehicles

• Explore the potential applications of optimal landing control algorithms for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, including urban air mobility, passenger transportation, package delivery, and aircraft carrier landing missions

• Understand the importance of developing efficient algorithms that can generate accurate optimal landing trajectories for eVTOL vehicles while considering operational constraints and high-fidelity aerodynamic models

• Learn about the formulation of an optimal control problem with fixed time of flight, with the control effort chosen as the performance measure, specifically for quadrotor eVTOL vehicle landing missions

• Discover the main contribution of the work, which involves incorporating aerodynamic models driven by ordinary differential equations (ODEs) into the optimal control problem formulation, enabling higher-fidelity landing solutions crucial for future eVTOL operations

• Gain insights from preliminary simulation results using the DJI Matrice 100 vehicle, showcasing the effectiveness of the proposed approach in two landing cases, highlighting its potential impact on enhancing eVTOL vehicle operations

Critical Aspects Of Flight Test Instrumentation And Telemetry For eVTOL And Flying Taxis

• Highlight the essential components and integration strategies necessary for successful flight testing

• Understand the importance of configuring flight test instrumentation systems to collect relevant data, including parameters such as airspeed, altitude, and battery performance

• Explore effective management techniques for flight test instrumentation, including data logging, real-time monitoring, and post-flight analysis

• Address the integration challenges associated with combining various telemetry systems, sensors, and onboard instruments to ensure seamless data collection and transmission

• Learn best practices for ensuring the success of flight testing campaigns, including meticulous planning, rigorous testing protocols, and continuous system refinement

• Consider the future developments and advancements in flight test instrumentation and telemetry technology, and their potential impact on the eVTOL industry’s growth and evolution

Morning Networking Break

Exhibition Hall > Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks

The Crucial Role Of Battery Technology In Powering The Future Of Flight For eVTOLs

• Explore the significance of lithium-ion batteries as the cornerstone technology driving the eVTOL industry forward

• Highlight the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries and its impact on eVTOL flight range and efficiency

• Discuss promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, including lithium-sulphur and lithium-air technologies, and their potential to enhance energy density and flight capabilities

• Explore the transformative potential of solid-state batteries in revolutionizing energy storage for eVTOLs, including increased safety, energy density, and cycle life

• Examine the surge in funding and research efforts towards advancing battery technology for eVTOLs, signalling a promising future for sustainable flight

eVTOLs Are More Than Flying Cars And Battery Analysis Reveals Unique Operating Demands

• Explore how eVTOL batteries differ from electric car batteries and the challenges in meeting the specific power and performance demands of eVTOL flight

• Learn about ORNL’s innovative approach to evaluating lithium-ion batteries under extreme power draw conditions and the implications for eVTOL battery development

• Understand the fundamental engineering changes needed to optimize battery systems for eVTOL applications, balancing high power demands with longevity and durability

• Discover the importance of real-time battery performance monitoring during flight stages like climbing, hovering, and descent, and its role in ensuring safe and efficient eVTOL operations

• Gain insights into ORNL’s ongoing research on developing new battery chemistries and electrolytes tailored for eVTOL missions, and the potential for advancements in battery technology to revolutionize the future of air mobility

The Importance Of Thermal Management In eVTOL Aircraft

• Understand why effective thermal management is vital for optimizing the performance of eVTOL aircraft, as it ensures the efficient operation of electronic components within the propulsion system

• Highlight the requirement for both pre-heating and cooling mechanisms because battery systems in eVTOLs require precise temperature control within a narrow operating window for optimal efficiency

• Reveal the risks to motors and inverters in eVTOL powertrains because of the heat generated during operation, which poses risks such as damage to magnets, windings, and degradation of silicon carbide components if not adequately managed

• Explain that because of the importance of mass and propulsion system efficiency in eVTOL design, thermal management systems must be lightweight and compact while effectively dissipating heat from electronic components

• Discuss various cooling approaches – indirect cooling methods, such as cold plate liquid cooling with water, offer superior heat dissipation compared to direct cooling approaches, striking a balance between cooling capacity, and added weight for optimal eVTOL performance

Fabrication, Testing, And Comparative Analysis Of Lithium Sulphur And Lithium-Ion Electrochemistries

• Addressing fundamental barriers in eVTOL aircraft, focusing on comparing lithium sulphur and lithium-ion electrochemistries to optimize energy and power

• Compare specific energy and power characteristics through identical fabrication processes for lithium sulphur and lithium-ion coin cells

• Analyse the results of discharge cycles, cycle life, and impedance that were measured under conditions unique to eVTOL aircraft, including high C-rates, half cycles, and high transients, revealing key performance differences between the two electrochemistries

• Explain that lithium sulphur exhibits more than twice the specific energy of lithium-ion up to currents of almost C/2, making it a compelling option for eVTOL applications

• Explain that despite its higher specific energy, lithium sulphur faces challenges with impedance, leading to lower cycle life compared to lithium-ion. However, the problem can potentially be mitigated by employing half cycles

Advancing Electric Aviation With Solid-State Architecture Batteries

• Underscore how the performance requirements for electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles far exceed those of ground vehicles, emphasizing the need for innovative battery solutions

• Highlight the criticality of non-flammable batteries in ensuring the safe operation of commercial eVTOL aircraft, setting the stage for the introduction of solid-state architecture batteries

• Delve into the NASA SABERS concept, which aims to develop a solid-state architecture battery using a high-capacity sulphur-selenium cathode and lithium metal anode to meet key performance criteria

• Discuss the incorporation of sulphur-selenium hybrid cathodes, holey graphene technology, and solid-state electrolytes to enhance energy-to-power density ratios and ensure safety

• Explores how robust computational modelling techniques are employed to optimize battery components, resulting in fully solid-state batteries capable of operating at temperatures up to 150°C while meeting stringent aerospace performance standards

Networking Lunch Break

Soup, Salad, Mains, Sides, Dessert

Tea, Coffee, Juices, Soft Drinks

Why Thermosets Overcome The Material Selection Dilemma In eVTOL Fabrication

• Explore the multifaceted considerations involved in selecting materials for composite parts, including performance requirements, size, complexity, production volume, and a crucial new factor: ease of certification

• Understand the paramount importance placed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on obtaining rapid certification for eVTOL aircraft, leading to a preference for tried-and-tested materials over innovative options

• Recognize the prevailing trend among eVTOL OEMs, with over 90% opting for thermoset-rich platforms due to their historical prevalence in the aerospace industry and familiarity among regulatory authorities

• Discuss the delicate balance between innovation and regulatory compliance in the eVTOL industry, where the imperative of certification often influences material selection decisions more than technical advancement

• Consider potential shifts in material preferences as the eVTOL sector evolves, with ongoing advancements in composite materials and increased regulatory acceptance of alternative resin types potentially reshaping the landscape of material choices for future eVTOL platforms

Is A Transition to Thermoplastics The Inevitable Future For eVTOL Composite Structures

• Discuss the inevitable shift toward thermoplastic-intensive structures in the production of eVTOLs as manufacturing volumes increase to several thousand aircraft per year, signalling a departure from traditional thermoset resin systems

• Explore the potential expansion of thermoplastic usage beyond small parts in first-generation eVTOLs, as advancements in production techniques and material properties enable their application in larger structural components

• Highlight the weight-saving benefits of thermoplastics, particularly fibre-reinforced thermoplastics, which offer lighter-weight vehicles and faster production rates due to reduced cycle times compared to traditional materials

• Examine the sustainability advantages of thermoplastics, including their inherent recyclability properties, aligning with the ongoing initiative of the composites industry to improve environmental sustainability

• Showcase the proactive steps taken by key composite materials suppliers, such as Toray, in marketing thermoplastics for eVTOL applications, signalling the industry’s readiness to embrace this transition and drive innovation in composite manufacturing for the future of urban air mobility

Streamlining Production With Collaboration Between OEMs And Material Suppliers

• Highlight the pressing need for higher production rates in the eVTOL industry to meet growing demand and scale operations effectively

• Emphasize the importance of lowering costs in eVTOL manufacturing processes to enhance affordability and accessibility for both manufacturers and consumers

• Discuss the collaborative efforts between OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and material suppliers to optimize production processes and materials, focusing on design-for-manufacture principles

• Explore the concept of designing simpler parts for fabrication and assembly, enabling more efficient manufacturing workflows, and reducing production complexities

• Illustrate how this collaborative approach fosters innovation in eVTOL manufacturing, driving advancements in both design and production methods to meet the industry’s evolving needs and challenges

Navigating Supply Challenges In The Commercialisation Of The eVTOL Industry

• Highlight the projected growth trajectory of the eVTOL industry and the expected increase in production volumes as demand rises

• Discuss the importance of integrating automation into manufacturing processes to meet growing production demands efficiently, especially as program volumes approach significant milestones

• Address the potential challenges related to the supply of critical materials, particularly carbon fibre, as demand for composite materials increases in the eVTOL industry.

• Emphasize the unique position of the eVTOL sector as a high-growth and high-volume market that relies heavily on composite materials to achieve weight targets and performance goals

• Advocate for collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders to address supply chain challenges and drive innovation in material sourcing and manufacturing processes to ensure sustainable growth in the eVTOL industry

Afternoon Networking Break

Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Donuts, Snacks

Revolutionizing eVTOL Power With The Promise Of Lithium-Sulphur Batteries

• Overcome the limitations of Lithium-Ion batteries that face challenges such as mineral dependency, supply chain constraints, costs, and safety risks

• Discuss whether super materials like 3D Graphene can pave the way for widespread electrification? Instead of incremental improvements to Lithium-Ion chemistry, explore the potential of Lithium-Sulphur battery chemistry

• Understand the advantages of Lithium-Sulphur: Lithium-Sulphur offers high energy density, lightweight properties, and improved safety without the need for nickel, cobalt, manganese, or graphite in the cathode or anode

• Explain the technology behind the accelerated progress that was not expected to advance by the 2030s, Lithium-Sulphur technology is advancing ahead of schedule, thanks to innovations like 3D Graphene, promising a sooner-than-expected transition to this promising battery chemistry

Rethinking The Traditional Assumptions For Thermal Stability In Battery Design

• Highlight the limitations of relying solely on pack level or system level State of Health (SoH) computations, emphasizing the need for increased thermal stability in battery design

• Explore the nature of lithium-ion batteries and their susceptibility to thermal runaway, underscoring the importance of addressing thermal stability at the cell level

• Discuss the implications of thermal instability at the pack level, including safety concerns and potential performance degradation

• Examine the broader implications of inadequate thermal stability on overall system performance, reliability, and longevity

• Advocate for a holistic approach to battery design that prioritizes enhanced thermal stability at both the cell and system levels to ensure safe and reliable operation in diverse applications

Conceptual Design Of Solid-State Li-Battery For Urban Air Mobility

• Emphasize the importance of providing safe and efficient electrical energy storage systems for eVTOL aircraft, with a focus on all-solid-state Li batteries due to their non-flammable technology and high theoretical gravimetric energy

• Highlight the use of a pseudo-2-dimensional cell model combined with a microstructure surrogate model approach to gain insights into the impact of cathode microstructure on internal process limitations, enabling a knowledge-driven assessment of the technology’s potential

• Discuss the incorporation of the developed model into a global optimization algorithm to predict optimum battery size tailored to the dynamic load demand of eVTOL aircraft, ensuring optimal performance

• Analyse the results that indicate that when carbon black and active materials are premixed, the battery outperforms configurations where solid electrolyte and active materials are premixed, particularly at low carbon black concentrations in the cathode combination

• Suggest that optimizing the composition and distribution of electrode components can enhance power and energy density, thereby extending the mission range of all-solid-state batteries for urban air mobility applications

Unravelling The Electrochemical Dynamics Of eVTOL Li-Ion Batteries

• Highlight the multifaceted demands that eVTOL aircraft impose on Li-ion batteries (LIBs), including stringent phase-disparate requirements driven by mission constraints and architectural design

• Explain how through a mechanistic modelling framework, the electrochemical implications of eVTOL architecture, mission constraints, and electrode design on LIBs offers insights into the unique challenges faced by these batteries

• Describe how current densities during critical phases such as landing and balked manoeuvres are identified as pivotal triggers for thermal safety concerns, underscoring the importance of understanding phase-specific demands on battery performance

• Reveal the key limitations that stem from the intersection of initial energy consumption and thermal convection during cold starts, exacerbated by altitude variations, to shed light on the complexities of eVTOL battery operation in varying environmental conditions

• Practical insights into the dynamic response of battery thermal management systems in light of mission-specific thermo-electrochemical interactions, providing valuable guidance for optimizing battery performance and safety across a range of eVTOL applications, including passenger mobility, cargo transport, and emergency medical services

Chair’s Closing Remarks

All Attendee Evening Drink Reception