A new collaboration between Stralis and CQUniversity aims to power up a hydrogen-electric aircraft, securing a cleaner future for the sector.
Stralis Aircraft is developing long-range hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aviation – with the goal of manufacturing the systems and aircraft in Queensland.
The project – supported by the Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) Program – aims to design a heat management system for a high-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) system that will help accelerate Stralis’ efforts to integrate the fuel cell into their hydrogen powered aircraft.
Funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by CSIRO, the RUIC Program connects small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with regional universities to undertake collaborative research partnerships across Queensland.
Stralis Aircraft Chief Technical Officer and Co-founder, Stuart Johnstone, said the collaboration is imperative to the success of the next phase of Stralis’ hydrogen-electric aviation plans.
“Stralis was pleased to have secured matched-funding through the RUIC Program to work in collaboration with CQU to design a cooling system for our unique high-temperature PEM fuel cells,” Mr Johnstone said.
“This will increase our test capability, and the findings will inform development and build of our hydrogen-electric propulsion system for aircraft, which we plan to test with a Bonanza A36 aircraft in Queensland late 2025.”
Stralis aims to fly a hydrogen-powered aircraft from Gladstone to Brisbane to demonstrate that it is possible to decarbonise aviation for a cleaner future.
CSIRO SME Connect Programs Director, George Feast, said CSIRO was excited to help Stralis’ dreams lift off.
“The RUIC Program empowers SMEs like Stralis to transform ambitious ideas into reality. We’re thrilled to support this groundbreaking project, showcasing how collaborative research projects can drive innovation and create industry-wide impact.”
CQUniversity Senior Research Fellow for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, Michael Opolot, said this collaboration between industry and academia is vital to advance knowledge and translate innovation into industrial applications.
“The combined experience of the teams at Stralis and the University, provide a great opportunity to advance learnings for a robust, high-temperature, cooling system.”
CQUniversity Professor in Hydrogen, Jonathon Love, said the university was proud to be involved in such an important project.
“University research can play a vital role in supporting the ambitions of local innovation start-up companies,” Professor Love said.
“CQUniversity is very pleased that this is being made possible through the RUIC Program so that CQUniversity’s Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy can provide its expertise at Gladstone to help Stralis advance their innovative liquid hydrogen fuelled HT-PEM fuel cell electric propulsion system towards their exciting first test flight.”
CQUniversity’s Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, headquartered in Gladstone, in Central Queensland, provides world-class expertise to industry partners as they embrace the transition to hydrogen and other clean energy.
Stralis Aircraft and CQUniversity are also members of the Hydrogen Flight Alliance, an industry alliance working towards Australia’s first commercial emissions-free hydrogen flight.
