In a major move towards sustainable aviation, Deakin University’s Hycel and Australian aerospace company AMSL Aero have announced a pioneering research partnership aimed at developing high-performance hydrogen fuel cells for aviation applications.
The collaboration marks a crucial step in Australia’s journey towards zero-emission flight, with AMSL Aero becoming the first industry partner to access commercial fuel cell testing at Hycel’s state-of-the-art Technology Hub.
Located at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus in southwest Victoria, the facility boasts high-pressure, high-flow hydrogen labs and unique fuel cell testing equipment, positioning it at the forefront of hydrogen technology research in Australia.
Professor Tiffany Walsh, Director of Hycel, emphasised the hub’s role in advancing hydrogen technologies, stating: “Hycel’s role is to support industry to develop, test, scale and adopt hydrogen technologies to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
“We do this by providing specialist hydrogen infrastructure, equipment, expertise and research insights that are currently unavailable to Australian industry.”
The partnership is set to play a pivotal role in the development of Vertiia, Australia’s first passenger-capable, emission-free, long-range hydrogen-powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Simon Coburn, Senior Project Engineer at AMSL Aero, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating: “AMSL Aero’s partnership with Hycel will help to verify fuel cell performance and durability for remote and regional flight applications, which is a key step in the development of Vertiia.”
AMSL Aero, a homegrown Australian aerospace company, aims to revolutionise air transport with Vertiia, a hydrogen-powered aircraft designed for various applications including air ambulance services and passenger and cargo transit in remote areas.
The aircraft promises fast, emissions-free air transport, taking off and landing vertically like a helicopter while using less energy per seat than a high-speed train.
This industry-research partnership exemplifies Deakin University‘s commitment to fostering innovations that contribute to a more sustainable world.
As the aviation industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, collaborations like this are crucial in developing and scaling hydrogen technologies that can significantly lower emissions and increase efficiency in air travel.
The Hycel Technology Hub, which officially opened in October 2024, is designed to provide comprehensive capabilities for hydrogen fuel cell development, including prototyping, assembly, testing, and validation.
This initiative is expected to unlock new markets for industry and support the growth of low and zero-carbon solutions in the aviation sector and beyond.
As the world looks towards a future of sustainable transportation, this partnership between Hycel and AMSL Aero represents a significant step forward in making zero-emission aviation a reality in Australia and potentially globally.
