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“If we had a way to keep those drones and UAVs flying indefinitely, that would have really far-reaching implications. With power beaming, we have a path toward
by Tade0 7y ago
“If we had a way to keep those drones and UAVs flying indefinitely, that would have really far-reaching implications. With power beaming, we have a path toward being able to do that.”
Why go through all this trouble when there's this?
https://www.amprius.com/amprius-silicon-nanowire-lithium-ion-batteries-power-airbus-zephyr-s-haps-solar-aircraft/ https://www.amprius.com/amprius-silicon-nanowire-lithium-ion...
While 25 days is the record, I'm sure this thing can remain aloft for at least a week at a time.
To me the solution from the article appears expensive and suspiciously deathray-ish.
- varjag 7y agoBecause it's a superlight UAV without any instrument package or ordnance load.
- Tade0 7y agoI see no indication that anything heavier could be powered via the method described in the article.
- varjag 7y agoThe beam is on the order of kilowatts. Noone is going to deploy satellite network just to power some semi-gliders.
- Tade0 7y agoBut how efficiently can the drones receive such a beam? I checked and the Zephyr S has a 5kg payload - not much, but enough for instrumentation. And they're making an even bigger one.