Key Technological Breakthrough: China's 'Hydrogen Heart' Boosts Drone Endurance by Over 200%

On May 10, the "High-Power-Density Cathode-Closed Air-Cooled Stack" technology, developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, passed a scientific and technological achievement appraisal organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. This new fuel cell stack serves as the "hydrogen heart" for industrial-grade drones, combining lightweight design, high power output, and air-cooling capabilities. Drones equipped with this system have demonstrated more than double the endurance compared to those powered by traditional batteries, potentially solving the "range anxiety" issue that has long plagued the industry.

Prior to the appraisal meeting, a hydrogen-powered drone equipped with the stack successfully completed a test flight, showcasing outstanding key performance metrics. The air-cooled stack achieved a specific power of 1,970 watts per kilogram and an area-specific power density of 1.15 watts per square centimeter. The appraisal committee unanimously agreed that the achievement demonstrates strong innovation, advanced technical specifications, and proprietary intellectual property rights. The stack's specific power ranks among the highest in the world, placing the overall technology at a globally leading level.

Academician Guo Lin, Vice Chair of the appraisal committee and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated on site: "The 'High-Power-Density Cathode-Closed Air-Cooled Stack' technology has achieved major original breakthroughs in theoretical innovation, structural design, and engineering applications. This technology has resolved the longstanding bottleneck of low specific power density in fuel cell stacks."

According to reports, the project has successfully overcome three key technical challenges: multi-scale control of catalyst layers, asymmetric water transport, and microchannel-enhanced heat transfer coupled with hydrothermal management. These innovations systematically address the inherent conflict between "water retention" and "oxygen transport" in air-cooled fuel cells. Chen Zhongwei, the project's technical lead and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Catalytic Energy Conversion at DICP, noted that this "hydrogen heart" has transitioned from laboratory research to large-scale application.

The project has now established a full-chain, self-developed innovation system spanning "materials–components–systems," forming a complete portfolio of proprietary intellectual property. A total of 21 domestic invention patents have been filed. The technology has already been deployed in real-world applications including forestry, agriculture, power line inspection, and emergency rescue.