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Old August 17th 07, 07:28 PM posted to rec.aviation.piloting,rec.aviation.homebuilt,rec.aviation.ultralight,rec.aviation.soaring
Phil
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Posts: 110
Default Electrically Powered Ultralight Aircraft

On Aug 15, 8:18 am, Larry Dighera wrote:
On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:23:00 GMT, CanalBuilder
wrote in
:

How much of a fire hazard would a paper battery be?


http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/...oring_Power_In...


That is an interesting device indeed. Given these quotes from the
article:

Rensselaer researchers infused this paper with aligned carbon
nanotubes, which give the device its black color. The nanotubes
act as electrodes and allow the storage devices to conduct
electricity. The device, engineered to function as both a
lithium-ion battery and a supercapacitor, can provide the long,
steady power output comparable to a conventional battery, as well
as a supercapacitor's quick burst of high energy. ...

Along with use in small handheld electronics, the paper batteries'
light weight could make them ideal for use in automobiles,
aircraft, and even boats. The paper also could be molded into
different shapes, such as a car door, which would enable important
new engineering innovations.


IF these can be made practical, they sound ideal for use in an
airplane. They are light, and they can be shaped in just about any
way to fit inside the airframe. Suppose they were integrated into the
airframe and wings such that a large percentage of the airplane
consisted of battery. It might be possible to get enough capacity
there for a practical general aviation electric plane.