Alex’s research focuses on the use of hydrogen fuel cells in aircraft. The main aims are to develop a model which can be used by aircraft manufacturers to quickly find the optimal fuel cell system for their new aircraft. As well as integrating a lightweight low temperature fuel cell system into a relatively large model aircraft (≈4m wingspan) and demonstrate fuel cell powered flight.
His main areas of interest are:
- Aircraft categorisation
- Effects or high altitude on PEMFC performance
- Supportability issues with the use of fuel cells on aircraft
- Main factors affecting cell start-up times and minimisation methods
- Fuel cell electrical performance characterisation and ability to manage demand fluctuations