Eco Factor: Personal aircraft powered by electric motors.
While Solar Impulse is just waiting to hit the sky on solar energy, the University of Cambridge has already tested their twin-engine, fixed-wing aircraft that is propelled by ultra-light 10KW brushless electric motors, which are powered by 12 lithium polymer cells. The aircraft is just a stepping stone to an era where personal cars would be replaced by personal aircrafts, with a capacity to change the way we commute.
The electric planes gets power from the electric motors that run lightweight propellers made from carbon fiber. The tests involved flying the plane for 30 minutes and reaching an altitude of 1,700 feet, which were completed successfully. The designers are now planning to bring a few changes in the overall design and the powerhouse of the plane, to enable it to fly continuously for two hours on a single charge, which can give the plane a range of about 100 miles.
Via: Inhabitat
