MOHE, Heilongjiang Province – In a significant breakthrough for drone technology in extreme environments, a high-energy lithium battery developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has successfully powered a hexacopter drone during a test flight in Mohe, China, where temperatures plummeted to -36 degrees Celsius (-32.8 degrees Fahrenheit). This achievement, announced by DICP on March 16th, marks a crucial step forward in providing reliable power solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in harsh polar conditions.
The successful test flight opens doors for a wide range of applications, including polar scientific expeditions, border patrols, disaster relief efforts, and logistical transportation in regions with extreme cold climates.
During the test, the hexacopter, equipped with the newly developed lithium battery, demonstrated stable flight performance and achieved its target range despite the extreme cold. The drone successfully executed a series of flight maneuvers, including rapid starts, high-altitude hovering, and complex path navigation. Throughout the flight, the battery maintained a stable voltage output, exhibiting no power fluctuations or sudden shutdowns caused by the sub-zero temperatures. This robust performance validates the battery’s exceptional low-temperature adaptability and reliability.
The research team, led by Professor Chen Zhongwei of the DICP’s Division of Energy Storage and Systems (DNL29), tackled the challenge of performance degradation in lithium batteries at ultra-low temperatures through innovative approaches. They developed a novel electrolyte formula and modified the negative electrode material, significantly expanding the battery’s operating temperature range. This ensures stable power output even within the extreme temperature range of -40°C to 50°C (-40°F to 122°F).
Addressing the issue of reduced battery life in extreme cold, the team implemented adaptive thermal management technology and optimized the battery’s low-temperature impedance. This resulted in a minimal reduction in flight range at -40°C, with a decrease of less than 10% compared to normal temperature conditions. This is a significant improvement compared to the industry average, where battery life typically degrades by 30% to 50% in similar conditions. This breakthrough allows drones to perform missions in polar and high-altitude regions without the need for frequent returns due to drastically shortened battery life, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
The successful test flight of the high-energy lithium battery in Mohe signifies a major advancement in high-performance drone power technology. The DICP team plans to further optimize the battery’s performance and promote its application in a wider range of equipment operating in extreme environments. This development promises to enhance the capabilities of drones in challenging environments, enabling them to play a more significant role in various critical applications.
References:
- IT Home News Article: 我国高比能锂电池适配六旋翼无人机在漠河试飞成功 (Please note: This is a placeholder link. The actual link should be inserted here.)
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