Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

As Airbus presses ahead with plans to bring a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-02-21/airbus-forges-ahead-sustainability-goals">hydrogen-powered commercial airliner </a>into service by 2035, the European airframer is eyeing superconductors as a potential enabling technology for the high-power, zero-emissions aircraft.&nbsp;
Airbus UpNext, an Airbus subsidiary dedicated to future flight technologies, has partnered with Toshiba to collaborate on the development of a superconducting electric motor for future hydrogen-powered aircraft. Under an agreement signed at the Japan Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo last week, the partners pledged to build and test a 2-megawatt superconducting electric motor.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Earlier this year, Airbus launched a technology demonstration program called Cryprop, which aims to use liquid hydrogen to simultaneously fuel and cool a 2-megawatt superconducting electric propulsion system. Liquid hydrogen will cool the propulsion system via a helium recirculation loop. That same liquid hydrogen could be used as a fuel source in hydrogen-electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells.&nbsp;
Superconductors allow electrical current to flow with zero resistance when cooled below a critical temperature just a few degrees above absolute zero (minus 273 degrees C). In conventional electric motors, the hardware poses an inherent electrical resistance that causes some energy to be lost in the form of heat. Without that resistance, superconducting motors are far more efficient at converting electricity into mechanical energy.&nbsp;
Toshiba Energy Systems &amp; Solutions Corporation, the Toshiba Group’s energy arm, has been studying superconductors for nearly half a century and has already developed its own prototype of a 2-megawatt superconducting motor.&nbsp;
“Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors,” said Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus senior vice president and head of disruptive research and technology. “Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus' future hydrogen-powered aircraft.”

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Toshiba and Airbus Jointly Develop Superconducting Electric Motors 

Superconductors could make hydrogen-powered airliners more efficient

Airbus UpNext partners with Toshiba on a 2-megawatt superconducting electric motor for future hydrogen-powered aircraft.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

"Supply chain is affecting a lot of things right now."

Engines Leaders Rev Up for 2025

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Chinese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer has also made its first passenger demonstration flights in Thailand

EHang Seeks Higher-performance eVTOL Electric Propulsion Systems

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Trading update reports strong demand in the commercial airliner engines sector

Rolls-Royce Confirms Closure of Electric Propulsion Unit

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

RTX company Pratt & Whitney Canada is part of the government-backed INSAT program

Hydrogen Combustion Test To Start on PW127XT Turboprop Engine

Companies signed a new memorandum of understanding to expand their collaboration

ZeroAvia and PowerCell Agree To Scale Up Fuel Cell Partnership

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

In this article

Airbus

More In Engines

Engines Leaders Rev Up for 2025

"Supply chain is affecting a lot of things right now."

EHang Seeks Higher-performance eVTOL Electric Propulsion Systems

Chinese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer has also made its first passenger demonstration flights in Thailand

Rolls-Royce Confirms Closure of Electric Propulsion Unit

Trading update reports strong demand in the commercial airliner engines sector

Hydrogen Combustion Test To Start on PW127XT Turboprop Engine

RTX company Pratt & Whitney Canada is part of the government-backed INSAT program

ZeroAvia and PowerCell Agree To Scale Up Fuel Cell Partnership

Companies signed a new memorandum of understanding to expand their collaboration

Rolls-Royce Expands Capacity and Predictability in Engine Support

A new hangar in Indianapolis and better access to engine data are boosting the CorporateCare program

Honeywell Ensemble Offers Real-time Engine Monitoring

The solution provides automated data reporting for business jet turbofan engines

Skydiving Operator Commits to Electric Caravan Aircraft

Norway's Skydive Voss, Dovetail Electric Aviation and Scandinavian Seaplanes will conduct flight tests

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN