Imagine a plane that flies without a loud engine or moving parts, using only electricity to push air. It works like a giant version of those static shocks you feel, creating a 'wind' of charged particles to move forward. This technology allows aircraft to stay in the sky for a very long time using only sunlight.
Current aeronautical transport relies on combustion engines that are polluting and have high maintenance needs due to moving parts. Stratospheric services currently depend on expensive, non-recoverable satellites.
A 2D numerical model for ionization simulation and a planned technological demonstrator in the form of an ion-propelled airship model.
If you are a satellite provider dealing with high launch costs and non-recoverable hardware — this project developed ionic propulsion for stratospheric airships that can replace satellite functions at much lower costs.
If you are a sensing agency dealing with short mission durations and high fuel costs — this project developed solar-powered propulsion with no moving parts that allows for extremely long operation times.
If you are a crisis management firm dealing with the need for persistent aerial surveillance during disasters — this project developed a recoverable airship platform that provides remote sensing and communication services.
Based on available project data, these systems offer services at much lower costs than satellites because they are recoverable and powered by solar energy.
The project is currently moving beyond the pioneering phase, aiming to build an airship model as a technological demonstrator and a conceptual design for a full-scale version.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves 10 partners developing theoretical, numerical, and laboratory breakthroughs.
The project specifically investigates the integration of these propulsion systems into existing aircraft as part of its research program.
The project period runs from 2023-11-01 to 2027-10-31, focusing on moving from fundamental research to a technological demonstrator.
The consortium is heavily research-oriented, consisting of 6 universities and 3 research organizations, with only 1 industrial partner and 2 SMEs. This 10% industry ratio suggests the project is currently focused on high-risk technical breakthroughs rather than immediate commercial production.
Contact Politecnico di Milano regarding the IPROP ionic propulsion demonstrator.
Contact us to connect with the IPROP consortium for early-stage technology licensing.
