What's Happening?
Conflux Technology has joined a Honeywell-led consortium, TheMa4HERA, to develop advanced thermal management systems for hybrid-electric regional aircraft. The consortium, part of the European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, includes 28 partners across 10 European countries. Conflux Technology will focus on developing lightweight additive-manufactured heat exchangers for Air Cycle Systems (ACS) and Vapor Cycle Systems (VCS). The project aims to demonstrate heat dissipation capabilities ranging from 20 to 50 kW for systems and up to 1000 kW for batteries, APU, and fuel cells. The initiative addresses the growing complexity of thermal management in hybrid-electric aircraft, driven by the integration of heat-generating components.
Why It's Important?
The development of advanced cooling systems is crucial for the efficiency and sustainability of hybrid-electric aircraft. As the aviation industry moves towards cleaner technologies, effective thermal management becomes essential to handle the increased heat generated by new components. This project could significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, aligning with global sustainability goals. The success of TheMa4HERA could pave the way for scalable thermal technologies, supporting climate-neutral aviation by 2035.
What's Next?
By 2026, TheMa4HERA partners plan to advance heat exchanger technologies to Technology Readiness Level 5 through digital twins, virtual demonstrations, and ground testing. Clean Aviation Phase 2, scheduled for 2027, will focus on flight testing and further integration of promising solutions. The project aims to deliver scalable thermal technologies for hybrid-electric aircraft, contributing to the broader goal of climate-neutral aviation.
