The new X-plane seeks to enable a potential new generation of more sustainable single-aisle aircraft – the workhorse of passenger airlines around the world. Working with NASA, Boeing will build, test, and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft with extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, known as a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept.
The X-66A will validate technologies for a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration that, when combined with other advancements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, could result in up to 30% less fuel consumption and reduced emissions when compared with today’s best-in-class aircraft.
Due to their heavy usage, single-aisle aircraft today account for nearly half of worldwide aviation emissions. Creating designs and technologies for a more sustainable version of this type of aircraft has the potential for profound impact on emissions.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
“Rolls-Royce announces new turbogenerator to power hybrid electric flight”
‘interestingengineering.com/innovation/rolls-royce-turbogenerator-hybrid-electric-flight-hydrogen?dicbo=v2-zIGoo2K’
Each turbo jet engine on cruising speed (~3/4 of engine power (737) ~122kN) at ~250m/s would require ~24MW and with high performance electric motors to achieve ~12kW/kg (topping at todays maybe 15-17kW/kg) electrically supported cruising speeds would require 2x ~3t or 4x ~1.5t electrical motor powered impellers for 737 plane sizes(?).
We should have moved to a blue hydrogen based jet and rocket fuels. That is the 100% cut that the world need.
Hydrogen, if it leaks (which it will, it can percolate through metals) has a global warming potential of about 30x that of CO2, calculated over 20 years, and about half as bad as methane. It will also produce N2O when burned – that has a global warming potential about 260 (x CO2’s, again) – and water vapour, which normally rains out on saturation at lower altitudes, but released in the stratosphere can persist, and is another strong IR absorber.
Storage density. You have an aircraft with hydrogen fuel, it has a much higher volume and thus surface area, and thus drag. It only works for rockets because they leave the atmosphere as quickly as they possibly can.
Hydrogen is a terrible aircraft fuel. If we want a 100% cut, we’re better off looking at solar thermal synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO2 and water.