Skip to main content
  • MY AUS
  • Library
  • Strategic Plan 2020–2025
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty / Staff
  • Parents
  • Alumni
S
Home
  • About
    • AUS at a Glance
    • Vision of the Founder
    • Mission
    • Leadership
    • AUS Strategic Plan 2020–2025
    • Partners and Community
    • Employment
    • Visit and Explore
  • Admissions
    • Study at AUS
    • Bachelor's Degrees
    • Master's Degrees
    • Doctoral Degrees
    • Forms and Publications
    • International Students
    • Grants and Scholarships
    • Contact Admissions
    • Executive Education
    • Apply Now
  • Academics
    • Colleges and Schools
    • Programs and Departments
    • Achievement Academy
    • General Education Program
    • Accelerated Master’s Program
    • International Study and Exchange
    • Registrar's Services
    • Services and Resources
    • Library
    • Meet the Faculty
  • Life at AUS
    • Around Campus
    • Housing and Dining
    • Health and Wellness
    • Sustainability
    • Athletics and Recreation
    • Student Life
    • AUS Discount Program
    • On-Campus Services
    • Blog
  • Research
  • Contact Us
  • Apply Now
  • .

News

- Any -
Academics
Administration
Admissions
Alumni
Commencement
Conferences
Cultural Events
High Performance Computing
High Performance Computing Center
Research
Student Events
Sustainability
- Any -
College of Architecture, Art and Design
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Engineering
School of Business Administration

Archives

2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012

Latest News

January 24, 2021
AUS and Emirates Nature-WWF sign MoU to collaborate in conservation research and student opportunities
January 20, 2021
AUS kicks-off orientation week for Spring 2021
January 19, 2021
AUS students participate in Future Sustainability Leaders Program as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
January 18, 2021
Multi-award-winning designer Pallavi Dean: “I would be nowhere without AUS”
January 17, 2021
School students from around UAE benefit from IELTS Preparation Course held by AUS
CEN  >  AUS conducts first successful hydrogen fuel cell powered UAV flight in UAE
NEWS / August 12, 2015

AUS conducts first successful hydrogen fuel cell powered UAV flight in UAE

A team of researchers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at American University of Sharjah (AUS) successfully conducted the first hydrogen fuel cell powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight in the UAE and GCC region recently at Hamiryah in Sharjah.

Being the first of its kind in the region, the project marks significant progress made in the development of electric propulsion aircrafts and long endurance UAVs. The UAV was designed and scratch-built at AUS using available materials and was powered by renewable energy. The AUS team was led by Dr. Mohamed Gadalla, Professor of Mechanical Engineering; and comprised Sayem Zafar, Lab Instructor, Mechanical Engineering; John Mempin, pilot; as well as senior undergraduate students.

The UAV was powered by a single Proton Exchange Membrane hydrogen fuel cell (PEMFC) and cruised for 10 minutes at a steady speed. Fuel cells are suitable power systems because of their high energy density which allows longer endurance. Hydrogen fuel cells create electricity by decomposing hydrogen while producing water as exhaust.

"We achieved our desired goal of designing and building a fuel cell powered UAV, so the project was a major success," said Dr. Gadalla. "The test flight also proved that it is possible to power a UAV with a hydrogen fuel cell," he added, explaining the aim of the project.

Currently, fuel cells can power a small UAV, as demonstrated by the test flight, providing a low-cost alternative to other power sources. Long endurance UAVs have several applications, namely border patrol, infrastructure inspections, surveys, rescue efforts, media and educational purposes, environmental research, and parcel or item delivery. Long endurance UAVs can also serve as a substitute to satellites.

"The designed UAV has proven to be a stable platform for many future aerial applications," explained Zafar.

Further tests will be conducted to test the UAV's endurance, payload capability, and its ability to fly as an autonomous system.

ABOUT US

  • Accreditation
  • Job Opportunities
  • Leadership
  • Maps and Directions
  • Registrar
  • Safety and Security

APPLY

  • Financial Grants
  • Funding and Assistantships
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Study Abroad
  • Residential Halls

RESOURCES

  • AUS Catalogs
  • Academic Calendar
  • Photo Gallery
  • Discover Sharjah
  • Library
  • FAQ

TOOLS

  • AUS Employee Email
  • AUS Student Email
  • MY AUS

© 2021 American University of Sharjah. All rights reserved.

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SITEMAP
  • CONTACT US