Stralis Aircraft, in partnership with CQUniversity, is accelerating the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems to decarbonize aviation. The initiative aims to design a cutting-edge heat management system for high-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs), with plans to test the hydrogen-electric propulsion system on a Bonanza A36 aircraft by late 2025. The goal: demonstrate a hydrogen-powered flight from Gladstone to Brisbane, showcasing the potential for a cleaner aviation future.
Collaboration Driving Innovation
The project is backed by the Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) Program, funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by CSIRO. Stuart Johnstone, Chief Technical Officer and Co-founder of Stralis Aircraft, emphasized the importance of this partnership, saying, “This collaboration with CQU will increase our test capability and inform the development of our hydrogen-electric propulsion system.”
CQUniversity’s hydrogen experts, including Senior Research Fellow Dr. Michael Opolot and Professor Jonathon Love, are leveraging decades of research to design an innovative cooling system critical for high-performance fuel cells. Professor Love highlighted the university’s role, stating, “University research can play a vital role in supporting the ambitions of local innovation start-up companies.”
Building Momentum for Hydrogen Aviation
Stralis and CQUniversity, both members of the Hydrogen Flight Alliance, are part of a larger effort to position Australia as a leader in emissions-free hydrogen aviation. Dr. George Feast, CSIRO’s SME Connect Programs Director, noted, “The RUIC Program empowers SMEs like Stralis to transform ambitious ideas into reality, driving innovation and industry-wide impact.”
By integrating academic expertise with industry ambition, this collaboration is paving the way for hydrogen-electric aircraft to redefine sustainable aviation in Australia and beyond.
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(Top image: Credit — Patrick Auld)
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