On 4th and 5th of June, TRIATHLON team got together for the M6 consortium meeting. Six months after the Kick-Off Meeting in Delft, the consortium met in Dresden (Germany), hosted by the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) of the Technical University of Dresden.

On the agenda over the two days, the consortium summarized the progress achieved so far and gave an overview of the work performed in the running Work Packages. In the end, partners also set the course for the future activities and took important decisions.

At ILK, the consortium was introduced to the laboratories where research in lightweight materials and structures takes place. In fact, the ILK laboratory focuses on developing innovative composite materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to create lightweight, high-strength components for several applications.

In addition, the consortium had the opportunity to visit the research and experimental setups dedicated to hydrogen technology of the Hydrogen Laboratory at KKT (TU Dresden). The lab’s advanced facilities support a wide range of studies, from hydrogen storage to combustion and fuel cell applications. The KKT team showcased their latest findings on hydrogen conditioning and distribution systems, providing valuable insights into the challenges and innovations in hydrogen technology. This visit highlighted the importance of hydrogen as a key component in achieving sustainable aviation solutions.

ILA Berlin 

On Thursday, June 6, 2024, TRIATHLON had the privilege of participating in a public session organized by the ClimAvTech cluster at ILA Berlin – Aerospace trade show. ILA Berlin, known as Germany’s “Innovation and Leadership in Aerospace” event, is the oldest and one of the top three largest international aerospace trade shows globally. Held biennially, over five days ILA Berlin attracts industry representatives, policymakers, and academia to discuss the current challenges and opportunities facing the aerospace sector.

This year, TRIATHLON joined the session titled “The Future of Aviation: Hydrogen, Electric, or Both?”, organized by ClimAvTech, a cluster of 13 EU-funded projects dedicated to mitigating the climate impact of aviation. Indeed, the session began with an introduction by CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, followed by a comprehensive overview of 10 EU-funded Sustainable Aviation Research Projects focusing on both non-electric and electric-assisted propulsion. Furthermore, two roundtables were held, discussing the challenges of hydrogen combustion, storage, and distribution, as well as exploring potential synergies between various propulsion systems.

TRIATHLON was excellently represented by Lorenzo Mazzei from Ergon Research. The ILA Berlin trade show provided an invaluable platform for networking, fostering new synergies, and sharing experiences with industry.

Attending ILA Berlin is an unmissable opportunity for TRIATHLON to engage with key stakeholders, enhance collaborations, and stay at the forefront of aviation innovation.

In conclusion, the insights and connections gained at this event will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing success of our mission to advance sustainable aviation technologies.

About TRIATHLON:

In response to the global call for reduced carbon emissions in the aviation industry, TRIATHLON will lead the charge by developing robust, low-maintenance, and low-emission hydrogen-electric powertrains for megawatt-class aircraft.

Project Highlights:

  • Overcoming scaling challenges in hydrogen powertrain tech;
  • Disruptive approaches for more responsive powertrains;
  • Implementation of NOx reduction strategies;
  • Innovative heat exchangers using materials like ceramics;
  • Elimination of cryogenic pumps for a more robust fuel distribution system.

The project is the result of the cooperation between a consortium made of universities, SMEs and industries coming from 6 different countries. M2i will be the project coordinator, TU Delft the technical lead and AMIRES the dissemination lead. The full consortium consist of Technische Universität Dresden, Ergon Research, Sabancı Üniversitesi, Cryomotive GmbH  and Lithoz.

The project is funded by the European Union and CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency

Follow TRIATHLON project on LinkedIn and stay tuned for updates: together, we’re soaring towards a greener sky!