title: Fuel cells: a real option for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles propulsion.
abstract: The possibility of implementing fuel cell technology in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) propulsion systems is considered. Potential advantages of the Proton Exchange Membrane or Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEMFC) and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), their fuels (hydrogen and methanol), and their storage systems are revised from technical and environmental standpoints. Some operating commercial applications are described. Main constraints for these kinds of fuel cells are analyzed in order to elucidate the viability of future developments. Since the low power density is the main problem of fuel cells, hybridization with electric batteries, necessary in most cases, is also explored.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial "Esteban Terradas" (INTA), Carretera Ajalvir km.4.,Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Óscar
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2781-6053
authors.initials: Ó
authors.lastname: González-Espasandín
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Sistemas Oceánicos y Navales, ETSI Navales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Avenida Arco de la Victoria 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Teresa J
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9610-1070
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Leo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Motopropulsión y Termofluidodinámica, ETSI Aeronáuticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Plaza Cardenal Cisneros 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9928-9013
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navarro-Arévalo
mesh_terms: D001359:Aviation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies