Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hydrogen fuel cell stack with one or more hydrogen fuel cell (102) having in turn a proton exchange membrane (104), a hydrogen reaction layer (112) and an oxygen reaction layer (116) within a pair of bipolar plates (106). At least a bipolar plate (106) comprises a channel (108) inside for hydrogen inflow. Additionally, this disclosure relates to a method of upgrading a hydrogen fuel cell stack, said method comprising inserting a channel (108) for hydrogen inflow inside at least a bipolar plate (106).

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO2, H2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) to the solution generated in step (b). The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

Abstract: Electroplating process is described for coating a ferrous alloy steel cathode substrate with an aluminum coating, the process comprises: a) immersing an aluminum anode substrate in a plating bath formulation comprising: a source of aluminum, an ionic liquid, a brightening agent, and a metal-salt compound; b) etching the cathode substrate by immersing it into the aluminum plating bath and conducting an anodic polarization step; c) electroplating the etched cathode substrate with the aluminum plating bath formulation; and d) rinsing with alcohol and water, and drying. Preferably, the process further comprises a heat treatment applied to the aluminum coated ferrous steel alloy obtained in step d).

Abstract: A chromium-free conversion coating is prepared by the addition of inorganic metallic salts and one or more silanes to dispersions of conducting polymers which are then exposed to alloys of aluminum or other metals. Advantageously, the performance of the coating is comparable to that of conventional chromium-based methods for a number of aluminum alloys having particular significance in the manufacture of aircraft.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method and a related system of flight termination for air vehicles. The method and the system of flight termination for air vehicles involve deploying a parachute for flight termination of an air vehicle. A flight termination system, which in turn comprises at least one microcontroller unit that is connected to at least one parachute deployment system for deploying an air vehicle's parachute when a major emergency is determined during an air vehicle's flight.

Abstract: A method for a curing cycle of an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) adding a hardener in a concentration from 18 to 30% by weight of the resin to said inorganic thermoset resin and (b) curing the resin at a temperature from 110 to 120° C. An inorganic thermoset resin, comprising a hardener in a concentration from 18 to 30% by weight of the resin. A vehicle interior panel, comprising a composite comprising a composite matrix of a natural fibre set within an inorganic thermoset resin.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO2, H2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) to the solution generated in step (b). The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO2, H2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) to the solution generated in step (b). The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack for enhanced hybrid power systems, comprising first (2) and second (3) conductive end plates with contact terminals (4); a plurality of fuel cells (7) configured to be connected in series and stacked between the conductive end plates (2, 3); at least one conductive middle plate (6, 6?) with at least one contact terminal (11, 11?), each conductive middle plate (6, 6?) being configured to be stacked between adjacent fuel cells (7). The contact terminals (11, 11?) may comprise conductive tabs (11) protruding from the fuel cell stack (1). The invention also refers to a hybrid power system comprising a battery (50), a fuel cell stack (1) and a control unit (70) configured to select an operating voltage of the fuel cell stack (1) when the hybrid power system (90) is feeding a load (60).

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of manufacturing an aircraft interior panel comprising a core sandwiched between first and second skins, wherein both of the first and second skins are formed from natural fibers containing non-halogenated fire-retardant and set within an inorganic thermoset resin, thereby forming a fire-resistant sustainable aircraft interior panel. The method comprises impregnating the natural fibers with non-halogenated fire retardant and an inorganic thermoset resin, and laying up the resin-impregnated natural fibers to sandwich the core. This stack is then cured by raising the temperature of the stack sufficient to initiate curing but without reaching the boiling point of water in the stack, holding the stack at that first temperature before raising the temperature again to reach the boiling point of water in the stack, before cooling the stack.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicles take-off system may include at least one winch, at least one towline, at least one dolly on which at least one aircraft is mounted, and at least one battery of the at least one winch. At least one micro-controller unit is connected to the at least one winch, wherein the at least one microcontroller unit is configured to control the activation/deactivation of the at least one winch. An unmanned aerial vehicle take-off method is also disclosed that includes operating the at least one winch by means of at least one microcontroller unit connected to said at least one winch.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hydrogen fuel cell stack with one or more hydrogen fuel cell (102) having in turn a proton exchange membrane (104), a hydrogen reaction layer (112) and an oxygen reaction layer (116) within a pair of bipolar plates (106). At least a bipolar plate (106) comprises a channel (108) inside for hydrogen inflow. Additionally, this disclosure relates to a method of upgrading a hydrogen fuel cell stack, said method comprising inserting a channel (108) for hydrogen inflow inside at least a bipolar plate (106).

Abstract: The present invention relates to sandwich panels used as aircraft interior parts. In addition to provide a finishing function, the sandwich panels need to have certain mechanical properties and have sufficient fire resistance to retard the spread of fire within the vehicle interior. The present invention provides an aircraft interior panel with skins comprising natural fiber reinforced composites based either on an inorganic thermoset resin or a thermoplastic resin. Such panels provide the required flame and heat resistance, allow easy recycling and disposal, are cheaper and offer significant weight savings over conventional sandwich panels.

Abstract: A method for a curing cycle of an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) adding a hardener in a concentration from 18 to 30% by weight of the resin to said inorganic thermoset resin and (b) curing the resin at a temperature from 110 to 120° C. An inorganic thermoset resin, comprising a hardener in a concentration from 18 to 30% by weight of the resin. A vehicle interior panel, comprising a composite comprising a composite matrix of a natural fibre set within an inorganic thermoset resin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lightweight two-stage pressure regulator for controlling the flow of gas from a high pressure source. The two stage pressure regulator comprises a gas inlet, a first piston pressure regulator stage, a second piston pressure regulator stage and a gas outlet. The first piston pressure regulator stage and the second piston pressure regulator stage are arranged to be coaxial such that the gas flow path is substantially along the axis of the first and second piston regulator stages.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing cryogenic liquids. A cryogenic tank comprising an inner storage volume within a first wall and a plurality of chambers defined by a plurality of chamber walls within the inner storage volume. The chamber walls extending the length of the inner storage volume, and the chambers disposed along the first wall and that at least one of the chambers of the plurality of chambers is defined by a plurality of chamber walls and a portion of the first wall.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for making an inorganic thermoset resin, the method comprising: (a) mixing SiO2, H2O and a metallic hydroxide for generating an alkaline aqueous solution with pH from 10 to 14 comprising a metallic silicate, wherein said metallic hydroxide generates a first metallic oxide in the aqueous solution, (b) adding aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2) to the alkaline aqueous solution comprising a metallic silicate generated in step (a) and (c) adding halloysite nanotubes (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) to the solution generated in step (b). The present disclosure further provides an inorganic thermoset resin obtainable by the method as defined in the first aspect of the disclosure.

Abstract: A chromium-free conversion coating is prepared by the addition of inorganic metallic salts and one or more silanes to dispersions of conducting polymers which are then exposed to alloys of aluminum or other metals. Advantageously, the performance of the coating is comparable to that of conventional chromium-based methods for a number of aluminum alloys having particular significance in the manufacture of aircraft.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method and a related system of flight termination for air vehicles. The method and the system of flight termination for air vehicles involve deploying a parachute for flight termination of an air vehicle. A flight termination system, which in turn comprises at least one microcontroller unit that is connected to at least one parachute deployment system for deploying an air vehicle's parachute when a major emergency is determined during an air vehicle's flight.

Abstract: Electroplating process is described for coating a ferrous alloy steel cathode substrate with an aluminum coating, the process comprises: a) immersing an aluminum anode substrate in a plating bath formulation comprising: a source of aluminum, an ionic liquid, a brightening agent, and a metal-salt compound; b) etching the cathode substrate by immersing it into the aluminum plating bath and conducting an anodic polarization step; c) electroplating the etched cathode substrate with the aluminum plating bath formulation; and d) rinsing with alcohol and water, and drying. Preferably, the process further comprises a heat treatment applied to the aluminum coated ferrous steel alloy obtained in step d).