IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i16p4193-d1461906.html

A Review on Key Technologies and Developments of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Multi-Rotor Drones

Author

Listed:
  • Zenan Shen

    (China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Corp., Beijing 100020, China)

  • Shaoquan Liu

    (China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Corp., Beijing 100020, China
    Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Wei Zhu

    (China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Corp., Beijing 100020, China)

  • Daoyuan Ren

    (China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Corp., Beijing 100020, China)

  • Qiang Xu

    (China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Corp., Beijing 100020, China)

  • Yu Feng

    (China Coal Technology and Engineering Group Corp., Beijing 100020, China)

Abstract

Multi-rotor drones, a kind of unmanned equipment which is widely used in the military, commercial consumption and other fields, have been developed very rapidly in recent years. However, their short flight time has hindered the expansion of their application range. This can be addressed by utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, which exhibit high energy density, strong adaptability to ambient temperature, and no pollution emissions, as the power source. Accordingly, the application of hydrogen fuel cells as the power source in multi-rotor drones is a promising technology that has attracted significant research attention. This paper summarizes the development process of hydrogen fuel cell multi-rotor drones and analyzes the key obstacles that need to be addressed for the further development of hydrogen fuel cell multi-rotor drones, including structural light weight, hydrogen storage methods, energy management strategies, thermal management, etc. Additionally, prospects for the future development of hydrogen fuel cell multi-rotor drones are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Zenan Shen & Shaoquan Liu & Wei Zhu & Daoyuan Ren & Qiang Xu & Yu Feng, 2024. "A Review on Key Technologies and Developments of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Multi-Rotor Drones," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-36, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:4193-:d:1461906
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/16/4193/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/16/4193/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhan, Zhigang & Yuan, Chong & Hu, Zhangrong & Wang, Hui & Sui, P.C. & Djilali, Ned & Pan, Mu, 2018. "Experimental study on different preheating methods for the cold-start of PEMFC stacks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1029-1040.
    2. Bai, Xingying & Jian, Qifei, 2023. "Experimental study of a passive thermal management system using vapor chamber for proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    3. Belmonte, N. & Staulo, S. & Fiorot, S. & Luetto, C. & Rizzi, P. & Baricco, M., 2018. "Fuel cell powered octocopter for inspection of mobile cranes: Design, cost analysis and environmental impacts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 556-565.
    4. Shusheng Xiong & Zhankuan Wu & Wei Li & Daize Li & Teng Zhang & Yu Lan & Xiaoxuan Zhang & Shuyan Ye & Shuhao Peng & Zeyu Han & Jiarui Zhu & Qiujie Song & Zhixiao Jiao & Xiaofeng Wu & Heqing Huang, 2021. "Improvement of Temperature and Humidity Control of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-14, September.
    5. Kwon, Soon-mo & Kim, Myoung Jin & Kang, Shinuang & Kim, Taegyu, 2019. "Development of a high-storage-density hydrogen generator using solid-state NaBH4 as a hydrogen source for unmanned aerial vehicles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    6. Meng, Huanru & Yu, Xianxian & Luo, Xiaobing & Tu, Zhengkai, 2024. "Modelling and operation characteristics of air-cooled PEMFC with metallic bipolar plate used in unmanned aerial vehicle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    7. Yu, Xingzi & Zhang, Caizhi & Li, Mengxiao & Wang, Gucheng & Tu, Zhengkai & Yu, Tao & Dong, Hui & Zhao, Fuqiang, 2024. "Thermal management of an open-cathode PEMFC based on constraint generalized predictive control and optimized strategy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    8. Dario Floreano & Robert J. Wood, 2015. "Science, technology and the future of small autonomous drones," Nature, Nature, vol. 521(7553), pages 460-466, May.
    9. Pan, Z.F. & An, L. & Wen, C.Y., 2019. "Recent advances in fuel cells based propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 473-485.
    10. Li, Bing & Wan, Kechuang & Xie, Meng & Chu, Tiankuo & Wang, Xiaolei & Li, Xiang & Yang, Daijun & Ming, Pingwen & Zhang, Cunman, 2022. "Durability degradation mechanism and consistency analysis for proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    11. Kurnia, Jundika C. & Chaedir, Benitta A. & Sasmito, Agus P. & Shamim, Tariq, 2021. "Progress on open cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell: Performance, designs, challenges and future directions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    12. Zongru Liu & Jiyu Li, 2023. "Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Precision Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-4, July.
    13. Özbek, Emre & Yalin, Gorkem & Ekici, Selcuk & Karakoc, T. Hikmet, 2020. "Evaluation of design methodology, limitations, and iterations of a hydrogen fuelled hybrid fuel cell mini UAV," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    14. Lin, Chien-Hung & Tsai, Sung-Ying, 2012. "An investigation of coated aluminium bipolar plates for PEMFC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 87-92.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Tomoya Ezawa & Shan Miao & Koki Harano & Masami Sumita & Noboru Katayama & Kiyoshi Dowaki, 2025. "Design of a Metal Hydride Cartridge Heated by PEMFC Exhaust," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Juwon Jang & Jaehyung Choi & Seung-Jun Choi & Seung-Gon Kim, 2025. "Designing a Waste Heat Recovery Heat Exchanger for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Operation in Medium-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-20, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Meng, Huanru & Yu, Xianxian & Luo, Xiaobing & Tu, Zhengkai, 2024. "Modelling and operation characteristics of air-cooled PEMFC with metallic bipolar plate used in unmanned aerial vehicle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    2. Tu, Xikai & Lv, Jin & Wu, Jin & Luo, Xiaobing & Tu, Zhengkai, 2025. "Experimental investigation of a novel open cathode air-cooled fuel cell stack design featuring simultaneous inlet blowing and outlet suction," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    3. Santos, Diogo F.M. & Ferreira, Rui B. & Falcão, D.S. & Pinto, A.M.F.R., 2022. "Evaluation of a fuel cell system designed for unmanned aerial vehicles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    4. Zhou, Kehan & Zhang, Gonghe & Li, Xiaoxi & Yang, Siyi & Liu, Zhiwei & Yan, Xiaojun, 2026. "The design, modeling, and performance verification of an integrated PEMFC-powered engine for UAVs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 409(C).
    5. Li, Bin & Wu, Zhangxi & Li, Ye & He, Jiawei & Wang, Bowen & Jiao, Kui & Hu, Xinhang & Fan, Hui & Wu, Jianzhong, 2025. "Thermal-water-electrical coupling modeling of PEMFC and its dynamic performance analysis under different operating conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 398(C).
    6. Tian, Weiyong & Zhang, Xiaohui & Zhou, Peng & Guo, Ruixue, 2025. "Review of energy management technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    7. Lin, Chen & Yan, Xiaohui & Wei, Guanghua & Ke, Changchun & Shen, Shuiyun & Zhang, Junliang, 2019. "Optimization of configurations and cathode operating parameters on liquid-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks by orthogonal method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Yang, Zirong & Jiao, Kui & Wu, Kangcheng & Shi, Weilong & Jiang, Shangfeng & Zhang, Longhai & Du, Qing, 2021. "Numerical investigations of assisted heating cold start strategies for proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    9. Mitincik, Sare & Yazici, Mustafa Yusuf, 2026. "A comprehensive review of thermal management strategies in PEM fuel cells: From conventional cooling methods to advanced passive and hybrid solutions for sustainable energy application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    10. Chang, Huawei & Yang, Zhengbo & Tu, Zhengkai, 2024. "Experimental study on the cold-start performance of a gas heating assisted air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    11. Liu, Yang & Zhao, Junjie & Tu, Zhengkai, 2024. "Detecting performance degradation in a dead-ended hydrogen-oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cell used for an unmanned underwater vehicle," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    12. Weng, Fang-Bor & Dlamini, Mangaliso Menzi & Tirumalasetti, Pandu Ranga & Hwang, Jenn-Jiang, 2024. "Experimental evaluation of flow field design on open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) short stack consisting of three cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    13. Aihua Tang & Yuanhang Yang & Quanqing Yu & Zhigang Zhang & Lin Yang, 2022. "A Review of Life Prediction Methods for PEMFCs in Electric Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-18, August.
    14. Yuqi Han & Weilin Zhuge & Jie Peng & Yuping Qian & Yangjun Zhang, 2023. "Numerical Investigation on Internal Structures of Ultra-Thin Heat Pipes for PEM Fuel Cells Cooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-22, January.
    15. Zhou, Kehan & Zhang, Gonghe & Bai, Haifei & Wang, Yiming & Qi, Mingjing & Huang, Jianmei & Liu, Zhiwei & Yan, Xiaojun, 2025. "The flight verification of an integrated propulsion system powered by PEMFCs with direct airflow intake design," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PA).
    16. Huang, Taiming & Ding, Wu & Xiao, Yufan & Ke, Rongyi & Zou, Pintao & Chen, Yiyu & Wan, Zhongmin & Tu, Zhengkai & Zeng, Wei, 2024. "Manifold geometry optimization and flow distribution analysis in commercial-scale proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PB).
    17. Çalışır, Duran & Ekici, Selcuk & Midilli, Adnan & Karakoc, T. Hikmet, 2023. "Benchmarking environmental impacts of power groups used in a designed UAV: Hybrid hydrogen fuel cell system versus lithium-polymer battery drive system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).
    18. Stančin, H. & Mikulčić, H. & Wang, X. & Duić, N., 2020. "A review on alternative fuels in future energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    19. Liu, Guoqiu & Li, Zhengyan & Chen, Lei & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2025. "Multi-objective optimization design and numerical analysis of air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell with bamboo flow field based on neural network model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 399(C).
    20. Cabello González, G.M. & Toharias, Baltasar & Iranzo, Alfredo & Suárez, Christian & Rosa, Felipe, 2023. "Voltage distribution analysis and non-uniformity assessment in a 100 cm2 PEM fuel cell stack," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:4193-:d:1461906. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.