LiT - Newsletter #21

05-03-2025

LiT Newsletter #21

Welcome to newsletter 21 of Aviation in Transition. LiT has entered a new phase, with nearly all projects having started. The newsletter is also evolving and will now be filled more frequently with substantive updates, knowledge pieces, and milestones. In this edition, you'll read the first edition of the “Partner in the Spotlight” section, a look back at the kick-off of Flying Vision Accelerator, an update on projects within the temporary subsidy scheme, and a remarkable milestone in project TePS. There is also an open vacancy in the Project Office. Enjoy reading!

Project Updates

TePS: Aeronamic reaches a milestone in WP 2.4

As the electrification of the aviation industry advances, higher voltages are becoming more common in aircrafts. For example, consider high-voltage batteries or fuel cells that can reach operating voltages of up to 1000Vdc. This development in supply voltages has a significant impact on the Thermal and Pneumatic Systems (TePS) project. Since TePS focuses on thermal and pneumatic systems for advanced cooling, high-voltage-capable motor drives are necessary to drive the electric (turbo) compressors being developed in the various work packages. WP 2.4 focuses on the development of technology for these high-voltage motor drives.

Within WP 2.4, Aeronamic has reached an important milestone in the development of high-voltage motor drive technology! The first prototype that meets the high-voltage requirements has been built and successfully tested.

The technology demonstrator has been developed for a high-speed compressor application (rated at 120krpm and 15kW electric) capable of operating with a nominal supply voltage of between 500Vdc and 1100Vdc. The motor drive has been designed against the DO-160G environmental standard to ensure the developed technology can successfully operate in the strenuous aerospace environment. Significant focus has been placed on efficiency and EMI compatibility. The technology demonstrator achieves efficiencies in excess of 98% while complying with, amongst others, the inrush-current, lightning and EMI requirements.

To develop the technology demonstrator, Aeronamic has spent the last year working on topics such as multilevel power inverter topologies, modulation techniques, and EMI mitigation strategies. However, to develop this technology even further, Aeronamic is working together with the University of Twente to develop the next generation high-voltage aerospace motor drives.

The research being conducted at the University of Twente focuses strongly on the multidisciplinary design of the high-voltage motor drives by focusing on the interdependencies between the motor drive topology, EMI generation and mitigation, advanced modulation strategies and advanced thermal management. The results of the research being conducted will lead to smaller and lighter motor drives with higher efficiencies while surviving the harsh aerospace environment.

Four projects of the Open Calls LiT kicked off!

Within the Supporting Research module of the Open Calls LiT, four projects were awarded last year:

Argus (led by the University of Twente) focuses on the development of adaptable winglets for aircraft with morphing surfaces, realized with advanced functional materials and an AI-driven control system.
CoolPipe (also led by the University of Twente) investigates the behavior of two-phase cryogenic hydrogen flow for safe and efficient hydrogen propulsion in aircraft.
Aerofusion (led by SAM XL) specifically focuses on the induction welding of components onto a curved thermoplastic skin. At the end of the four-year period, the Aerofusion team will deliver a demonstrator.
IOHEVA (led by TU Eindhoven) conducts research on an integrated design methodology for hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion systems.

The kick-off of Argus is scheduled for mid-March; the other projects have already started. During the initial meetings, interesting synergies with ongoing LiT projects immediately emerged. For instance, the research of CoolPipe aligns well with the projects Hydrogen Optimization & Testing (HOT), Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage Systems (HAPSS) and the planned project ICEFlight, all of which focus on flying on hydrogen. Aerofusion provides a valuable complement to the work within the Materials, Production Technology, and Structures project. And finally, there are clear intersections between IOHEVA and the HOT and HAPSS projects.

Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL) kicks off!

On Monday, 24 February, the DASAL Kick-off Meeting took place in the presence of the project office and the government project team.
Project leader Michel van Eenige provided a clear overview of the project, its structure, and its objectives, and the leaders of each of the work packages within DASAL then spoke to further elaborate on them.

Close coordination between these work packages is a prerequisite for success; and the good interaction and collaboration between TU Delft and NLR was already evident during this meeting.

In the course of 2025 and 2026, DASAL expects to achieve a number of important milestones to lay the foundations for the further project and the development of models and their mutual exchange in the research infrastructure. A promising start from an enthusiastic team!

Vacancy: Project Officer Aviation in Transition (0.6 – 1.0 FTE)

Do you want to play a key role in making aviation more sustainable?

As a Project Officer, you ensure that innovation projects within LiT are effectively managed and successfully executed. You coordinate reports, monitor risks, support the finances, and work closely with project leaders, colleagues from the Project Office, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

Do you have solid experience in project management, an affinity for aviation and technology, and are you looking for a challenging role with impact? Send your motivation letter and CV by 31 March 2025 to Ron van Manen, ron.vanmanen@lit.aero.

Want to know more? Read the full vacancy on our website. For further questions, you can also contact Ron van Manen.

View vacancy

Call for Evidence:

EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy

The European Commission is currently drafting a start-up and scale-up Strategy for research and innovation.

For this, a call for evidence is being requested. LiT participants can also have their say! As is customary in public consultations by the European Commission, you can do this both as an individual and on behalf of an industry organization or stakeholder.

Please note: The deadline to submit feedback is 17 March 2025.

More information

The kick-off of DASAL on February 24

Flying Vision Accelerator has taken off!

After obtaining 'clearance for departure' at the end of 2024, the team of partners has taken its first steps. In addition to setting up practical matters such as project administration, more memorable moments were experienced.

On January 22, the project kick-off took place, with representatives from the initiating partners TU Delft, Royal NLR, Airbus, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Royal Schiphol Group. The Project Office and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management were also present at the meeting held at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of TU Delft. The joint effort to launch the project proved contagious. This was reflected in the quality of the presentations and the shared motivation to deliver results within LiT, for the (inter)national aviation ecosystem and, essentially, society.

On January 27, the launch reception was held not only for Flying Vision Accelerator (FVA) but also for the projects Dutch Aviation System Analysis Lab (DASAL) and LiT Venture Lab. Here, we were able to raise a glass with those involved in celebration of the start of these projects and look back positively on the energy and commitment that the teams have shown to reach this point.

With FVA steadily gaining speed and altitude en route, an end is coming to a long period during which FVA was at a standstill. The FVA project team, the FVA architects, WP leaders, and their teams are eager to support the LiT network—alongside the technical and ecosystem projects—with insights into the aviation transition.

On to cruise speed and the first results!

Victor Rijkaart - Flying Vision Accelerator

The attendees at the kick-off of Flying Vision Accelerator

The kick-off of Flying Vision Accelerator on January 22

Partner in the Spotlight - University of Twente

In this new section, we highlight one partner in each newsletter who is involved in LiT. This gives you a clear picture of the partners and their role in making aviation more sustainable. This edition: University of Twente

The University of Twente is active in the Aviation in Transition project Thermal and Pneumatic Systems (TePS). Within this project, the University of Twente works closely with Aeronamic, which leads the project with a focus on electronics. Our expertise is in the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of power electronics.

We use a multidisciplinary approach in which we optimize based on the electromagnetic interference caused, the sensitivity of equipment, heat development, and the control of the electronics. The ultimate goal is a more compact and lighter overall package than ever before, which is essential for the feasibility of electric and hydrogen-powered commercial aviation. However, this must not come at the expense of safety and reliability.

Thanks to the collaboration with Aeronamic, we can directly translate research at lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) into executable prototypes and eventually products. This strengthens the Dutch competitive position in the aviation sector.

Aviation in 2050 and its role at that time according to the University of Twente

By 2050, the aviation sector will have been transformed into a sustainable model, with the Netherlands maintaining its leading position in the knowledge economy and remaining a central hub for global air traffic. The University of Twente will also continue to contribute in the future, as the development of new technologies automatically brings new challenges in integration and certification processes.

Niek Moonen - University of Twente

The University of Twente is not only involved in the TePS project. They are also active in the projects Materials, Production Technology and Structures (MPC) and Advanced Electrical Wiring.