Researchers from the Chinese mainland have unveiled the CoulombFly, the world's smallest and lightest solar-powered drone. Developed by a team at Beihang University, the CoulombFly weighs just 4.21 grams and features a wingspan of only 20 centimeters.
What sets the CoulombFly apart is its innovative electrostatic motor. Unlike traditional electromagnetic motors that lose efficiency at smaller scales, this motor allows the drone to generate sufficient lift, enabling it to fly indefinitely as long as there is sunlight.
The team also introduced a lightweight boost converter capable of increasing voltage from under 100 volts to an impressive 9,000 volts. This boost converter boasts a step-up ratio that is 92% higher than similar technologies developed at Stanford University, efficiently powering the electrostatic motor.
With its groundbreaking design, the CoulombFly opens up possibilities for deploying swarms of these micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) for applications such as photography, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. While the current prototype has limited payload capacity, the researchers are optimistic about future advancements that could enhance its carrying capabilities.
The team's pioneering work has been published in the prestigious journal Nature. Looking ahead, they aim to create an even smaller drone, targeting a weight of just 9 milligrams and a wingspan of 8 centimeters.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
