FutureFlight
HyPoint Unveils More Powerful Air-Cooled Hydrogen Fuel Cells
The company has built a prototype for its hydrogen fuel cell technology and says it can start delivering equipment to aircraft developers in 2022.
HyPoint fuel cells
HyPoint's hydrogen fuel cells can be integrated with a variety of different propulsion systems such as this turboprop configuration that might be used to convert an existing aircraft. (Image: HyPoint)

HyPoint has built the first working prototype of its turbo air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell system for aircraft. The California-based start-up says it will begin delivering full-scale versions of the technology to partners in 2022, supporting plans for both new eVTOL aircraft and the conversion of existing models to hydrogen propulsion.

According to HyPoint, its system's performance will outstrip that of existing fuel cells by delivering 2,000 watts per kilogram of specific power and an energy density of 1,500 watt-hours per kilogram. The company claims its competitive edge over other companies pioneering fuel cell technology for aircraft reflects a decision to use compressed air for both cooling and oxygen supplies for a high-temperature fuel cell system that it says weighs just a third as much as comparable liquid-cooled systems.