Dr. Nicholas Ingarra Takes Center Stage at HySky Monthly's 80th Episode: Why Fuel Cells Make Sense for Aviation
- HYSKY Society
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Hydrogen fuel cells and batteries are often compared as if aviation has to choose one winner. During HySky Monthly #80 on August 17, 2026, Dr. Nicholas Ingarra presented a more practical view: different technologies make sense for different missions, and they need to be modeled according to how they actually behave.
His presentation, "Why Hydrogen Fuel Cell Planes Make Sense and Why We Need To Model Batteries Different," focused on aircraft power demand, battery behavior, fuel cell water management, thermal systems, heat exchangers, hydrogen storage, and the tradeoffs between range, payload, efficiency, and charging or refueling time.
One of the biggest takeaways was the difference between batteries and fuel cells. Batteries store energy, while fuel cells generate power as long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied. Ingarra argued that batteries are best suited for shorter-range, lighter-load missions, while hydrogen fuel cells may be better suited for longer-range or heavier-payload applications. He emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
A major part of the presentation focused on battery modeling. Ingarra explained that battery voltage, resistance, current, state of charge, temperature, and efficiency all change during operation. Because of that, he argued that battery-electric aircraft should be modeled dynamically rather than using one fixed efficiency number for an entire flight. Under constant-power demand, battery voltage can fall while current rises, which also increases heat generation and affects the rest of the electrical system.
Fuel cells bring a different set of challenges. Ingarra spent significant time discussing PEM fuel cell water management, including electro-osmotic drag, back diffusion, flooding, membrane hydration, and the role of the microporous layer. Too much water can block oxygen transport and reduce performance, while too little water can hurt membrane conductivity. Better understanding these transport mechanisms could help improve fuel cell power density and simplify the balance of plant.
Thermal management was another major theme. Fuel cells can generate large amounts of heat at relatively low operating temperatures, which makes heat rejection difficult. Ingarra highlighted the need for better heat exchangers, especially lightweight plate-fin designs, to support aviation applications without adding too much mass or drag.
Hydrogen storage also remains a key engineering challenge. The presentation covered compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, cryo-compressed storage, and conformable tank concepts. For aviation, the goal is not just to store hydrogen safely, but to do it in a way that fits the aircraft without creating too much weight or taking up too much usable space.
The broader message from HySky Monthly #80 was that hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and even hydrogen combustion can all have a role in aviation. The right choice depends on mission range, payload, power demand, thermal requirements, infrastructure, and total cost of ownership.
Ingarra's presentation ultimately pointed to three major areas that could help advance hydrogen aviation: better fuel cell heat and water management, improved heat exchangers, and better hydrogen storage. At the same time, battery-electric aircraft need more realistic real-time modeling so engineers can compare propulsion systems on a fairer basis.
