Sydney, and Avalon Airport in Melbourne, Australia – Wed 26 March 2024 – AMSL Aero, the zero-emission aircraft designer and manufacturer, has partnered with Formula 1 car engine cooling provider Conflux Technology to pioneer long-range, zero-emissions flights over up to 1,000 kilometres at Formula 1 car speeds. 

 

AMSL Aero told the Avalon Air Show in Melbourne that it will use Conflux Technology’s advanced heat transfer innovation to cool the hydrogen fuel cells that power its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Vertiia, which will cruise at speeds of 300 km/h.   

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Vertiia is the Australian leader in the new generation of aircraft that take off and land like a helicopter but fly fast and smoothly like a fixed-wing aeroplane. Vertiia made Australian aviation history in late 2024 by making its first free flights. 

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Vertiia will make its first flights on hydrogen-electric power later this year, using Conflux Technology’s cooling technology. This will mark a major step towards AMSL Aero’s goal to manufacture the world’s first long-range passenger-capable hydrogen VTOL. 

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AMSL Aero chairman Chris Smallhorn said: “In Vertiia, we are building a hydrogen-electric aircraft that flies record-breaking distances at Formula 1 speeds, making Conflux Technology, with its storied history of innovation in motorsport and aviation, the perfect partner for us.  

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“AMSL Aero is committed to Victoria for future development of Vertiia and Conflux is one Victoria’s industrial champions, making the Avalon Air Show the ideal place for us to unveil this partnership.” 

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The first phase of the project has been completed, which focused on developing three innovative heat exchanger concepts aimed to minimise weight and volume while effectively managing the continuous heat loads experienced during flight. Following the success of this phase, the project moves into the second phase, where the team will optimise and manufacture a full proof-of-concept assembly to integrate into Vertiia’s hydrogen fuel cell system. 

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Michael Fuller, CEO & Founder of Conflux Technology, said: “ Hydrogen fuel cells are shaping the future of sustainable aviation, and thermal management is critical to their performance. By integrating our advanced heat exchange technology with Vertiia’s fuel cells, we’re optimising efficiency and driving the next generation of clean aviation solutions.” 

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Simon Coburn, a Hydrogen Systems Engineer at AMSL Aero, said: “This collaboration is a major step in ensuring Vertiia’s hydrogen fuel cells perform at their best, enabling us to unlock the aircraft’s full potential and push the boundaries of zero-emissions aviation.” 

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The Conflux Technology cooling solution will be optimised to provide cooling for high transient heat loads experienced during Vertiia’s vertical take-off, landing and hover operations. Weight, performance and packaging size are key constraints for aeronautical hydrogen powertrains and geometrical freedoms granted by additive manufacturing means heat exchangers for these systems can be lightweight and conform to the space available. Conflux Technology’s unique thin-walled, patented designs deliver thermal performance and low drag.