The Bauhaus Luftfahrt Technology Radar acts as an antenna for weak signals of possibly significant innovation potentials for aviation. The entire Bauhaus Luftfahrt team contributes to the detection of progress from research and early development in a broad technology spectrum and its initial assessment and prioritisation in the aviation context. For key developments, proven analytical methods are used to generate future-proof, scientific findings on long-term potentials as a guideline for informed decisions and integrated overall concepts.
High priority is given to technological advances in the direction of climate-neutral aviation by means of renewable energies and increased efficiency. On the radar are, for instance, developments towards high-performance hydrogen fuel cells with an innovative cooling system. Further included are emerging technologies for the scalable, efficient supply of liquid hydrogen (LH2) or drop-in synthetic fuels – and for the latter, direct air capture as a key technology.
Material developments as “radar signals” with high relevance for high-performance energy storage and converters, heat exchangers, as well as lightweight materials and structures, partly with new integrated functionality, are often based on nanotechnology or additive manufacturing.
Furthermore, bio-inspired technologies such as neuromorphic sensors and processors are on the radar, which are central to the digital transformation and the shift towards situation-aware, intelligent, and adaptive systems.
Detected advances in direct air capture, hydrogen, and neuromorphic technologies have shown significant potential for future fuels and autonomous flight in detailed analyses – as a guide for integrated system studies.
