For centuries, aeronautics pioneers conducted experiments and tests until the first flying machines were able to take to the skies. Today’s aeronautical pioneers have a new dream – climate-friendly air transport. However, they have much less time than their predecessors.
Emission-free air transport without the climate impact of carbon-dioxide and non-carbon-dioxide effects – this is a major research goal being undertaken by DLR scientists. By developing sustainable technologies, they are contributing to making the economy and society climate-neutral by the middle of the 21st century. This is because air traffic is growing worldwide – and with it, its share of global warming.
What needs to be achieved?
Halve the energy requirements of aircraft by 2050. At least.
At DLR, we are working on this in various areas. For example, a team at the Institute of Electrified Aero Engines is developing the architecture of propulsion systems based on electrochemical energy sources such as batteries or hydrogen-powered fuel cells. The researchers are designing solutions for integrating these into the aircraft. For Stefanie de Graaf, the focus is on suitability for air transport – power density, safety and reliable operation. This requires a whole-system approach.
Stefanie’s project involves colleagues from:
Electrical engineering
Aerospace engineering
Mechanical engineering
Physical engineering sciences
Currently still wanted: software developers and EMC experts!
“Challenges related to hydrogen, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and heat and cold management in various phases of flight are of great importance in order to integrate existing technologies or technologies that are still under development into the aircraft,” emphasises the aerospace engineer.
For her diverse tasks, Stefanie always chooses an interdisciplinary approach in order to find creative solutions to current challenges. And all with one goal in mind – to enable the sustainable future of air transport.
Markus Krengel, who works at the Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology, has a whole-system view of the aircraft. His challenge? “Understanding the complex aircraft system and improving it in terms of energy consumption and climate impact,” explains the research engineer. To do this, he needs not just broad specialist knowledge and an understanding of the key technical influencing factors. Creativity is also required – existing technologies, configurations and propulsion types have to be recombined and optimised.
Markus works on projects together with colleagues from:
Mathematics
Computer science
Various engineering sciences
Physics
Atmospheric research
Psychology and medicine
Markus sheds light on technological potential and collates the latest findings from various specialist disciplines – for example, from flight tests, wind tunnel experiments and simulations. His regular dialogue with research and industry is important for this. He always has his eye on the future generation of aircraft. His findings therefore form part of the basis for decisions made by government and industry on how to achieve the goal of climate-friendly aviation.
Electric flying – emission-free, with a new look and quieter
Many small electrically powered propellers along the wing provide more lift. This allows the wing area to be reduced, saving weight, drag and energy.
Daniel Silberhorn is investigating the question of how the new, climate-friendly aircraft of the future must be designed and configured. At the Institute of System Architectures in Aeronautics, he is working with his colleagues to develop solutions for sustainable and economically viable aviation.
What we are researching at DLR to achieve the climate target for aviation
lighter and aerodynamically more efficient construction
lower flying with newly designed wings
more efficient aircraft configurations
innovative flight control and sensor technologies
battery and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for short-haul flights
hydrogen fuel cells for short- and medium-haul flights
hydrogen-powered gas turbines for medium- to long-haul flights
sustainable aviation fuels with highly efficient turbines for long-haul flights
improving air traffic control and flight management
Daniel uses digital aircraft designs to investigate the impact of different energy sources such as fossil-based and synthetic kerosene, liquid hydrogen and electrical energy on the aircraft. His research also focuses on modelling different propulsion architectures, such as gas turbines with fans or propellers – or as hybrid applications with fuel cells and/or batteries. He also models various aircraft configurations in order to achieve the most synergetic interaction possible with the energy sources and propulsion architectures. Also on Daniel’s agenda – modelling the aircraft’s operational scenario in order to achieve the largest possible market share and turnover, and the lowest possible climate impact.
Who is still missing here? A pioneer like you!
Daniel gets a lot of motivation from team spirit when the different disciplines contribute to the overall design: "It's a great feeling when, after years of joint and interdisciplinary research, we can gain new insights that can only be achieved through teamwork. I am very proud to see that we are contributing to the comprehensive knowledge that has been built up at DLR over generations."
There is also a need for research into the effects of hydrogen combustion on the atmosphere. DLR researchers are already investigating the effects on the climate system. The findings could lead to important next steps towards environmentally friendly flight.
Another starting point is the reduction of emissions through optimised air traffic control and new approaches to flight management. For example, plans could be developed for the formation flying of commercial aircraft in order to reduce energy requirements over longer distances through reduced drag.
The DLR Project Management Agency for Aeronautics Research is responsible for funding projects in the ‘LuFo Climate’ aviation research programme launched by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz; BMWK). Matthias Schott is responsible for all projects relating to aircraft systems, including avionics, actuators, fuelling systems and energy supply. “The results achieved in the research projects serve to make aviation more climate-friendly, efficient and safe,” explains the aerospace engineer. “For example, the procurement and conversion of the Dornier 328 regional aircraft as a flying testbed was recently funded. This will be used for the testing of promising propulsion, fuel and system technologies for the decarbonisation of air transport under real flight conditions.”
Advancing change – with you!
DLR is driving change for sustainable, environmentally friendly aviation with colleagues from over 20 institutes and facilities in the field of aeronautics research. We want to make the dream of emission-free flying a reality as quickly as possible.
What is still missing here? A pioneer like you. The goal we have set ourselves is ambitious. Help us, help the environment and society to achieve it!
Participating institutes & organisations
Electrified Aero Engines
Technologies for Small Aircraft
Software Methods for Product Virtualization
Engineering Thermodynamics
Lightweight Systems and Adaptronics
System Dynamics and Control
Flight Guidance
Flight Experiments
Future Fuels
Atmospheric Physics
Aerodynamics and Flow Technology
Propulsion Technology
Structures and Design
Flight Systems
Air Transport
Software Technology
System Architectures in Aeronautics
Test and Simulation for Gas Turbines
Combustion Technology
Technical Infrastructure
Project Management Agency for Aeronautics Research
Specialist areas involved
Research & development: Engineering sciences
Aerospace engineering
Electrical engineering
Process engineering
Mechatronics
Mechanical engineering
Environmental engineering
Materials science
Research & development: Natural sciences & mathematics
