Recently, at the foot of Mount Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province, an industrial UAV flew over the green waves in layers amid the misty tea mountains. It does not need to frequently turn back for charging, and can complete the monitoring and early warning of pests and diseases in the entire tea garden with a single flight. The UAV is driven by the high specific energy hydrogen lithium hybrid power system independently developed by Chen Zhongwei, a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The system is based on two core technologies of the team - high specific energy ultra-low temperature battery technology and high specific energy hydrogen lithium hybrid technology, successfully solving the industry problem of "short range and small load capacity" for industrial drones. The coordinated development of two technologies provides a diversified and high-performance energy solution for low altitude economic aircraft that adapts to extreme environments, has long endurance, and high maneuverability, which will effectively promote the technological upgrading and application expansion of China's low altitude industry. Breaking the 'endurance ceiling': Traditional lithium battery powered drones generally have a 'endurance ceiling', with most models having a range of only 30 minutes to 1 hour and limited payload capacity. Their performance deteriorates significantly in complex environments such as mountains, high temperatures, and extreme cold. Chen Zhongwei's team is targeting the energy system requirements of low altitude aircraft (drones, eVTOLs, etc.) and developing two core technologies. Zhang Meng, the head of the team's power technology, told Science and Technology Daily reporters that in the extremely cold test of minus 36 degrees Celsius in Mohe, high specific energy ultra-low temperature lithium batteries can drive a hexacopter drone to complete stable flight and material transportation tasks. Its energy density reaches 400 watt hours per kilogram, and its operating temperature range is from minus 40 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. The battery can maintain a discharge capacity of over 80% at minus 40 degrees Celsius, and can still be charged at minus 20 degrees Celsius with stable power output, serving polar scientific research. Zhang Meng introduced that the high specific energy hydrogen lithium hybrid power system, through the dual energy coupling of "hydrogen fuel cell+lithium battery", can achieve continuous cruising for more than 2 hours on a single mission, with a range improvement of over 100% compared to traditional lithium battery solutions. We have equipped the drone with a 'dual power engine'. ”Chen Zhongwei metaphorically describes lithium batteries as "sprinters" responsible for instantaneous high-power demands such as takeoff, climb, and rapid turns; Hydrogen fuel cells are marathon runners, continuously outputting stable electrical energy to meet long-distance cruising needs. The dynamic collaboration between the two through intelligent systems not only compensates for the slow dynamic response of hydrogen fuel, but also avoids deep discharge of lithium batteries. The core of achieving efficient operation of this "dual engine" system with hydrogen lithium partners lies in the precise scheduling of the intelligent energy management system. Zhang Meng explained, "Just like the hybrid mode of a car, the lithium battery instantly releases high power (peak up to 20 kilowatts) during takeoff, while the hydrogen fuel cell is responsible for the main power supply during the cruise phase (power of about 5 kilowatts), while replenishing the lithium battery." This "peak shaving and valley filling" mode keeps the system running in an efficient range, reducing energy consumption by 18% compared to a single energy solution. Wu privately, the technical leader of the team's intelligent energy management system, introduced that in order to break through the "unsuitability" problem of traditional hydrogen fuel cells, the team has achieved dual innovation in materials and control. They use an 8-micron ultra-thin proton exchange membrane and independently developed composite catalysts and hydrophilic group modification technology to enable the membrane electrode to have self humidifying function without the need for an additional humidification system, and the anti reverse ability is improved to 2000 minutes; The cathode diffusion layer is designed with a gradient pore structure to optimize airflow distribution and avoid water flooding or membrane drying; The dynamic model can predict and adjust the airflow, ensuring the stability of the drone during intense flight; The high specific surface area heat dissipation fins and mass transfer enhancement technology have improved heat dissipation efficiency and optimized reaction efficiency, ensuring efficient and stable operation of the battery. In addition, the team has solved the problem of ultra-low temperature performance degradation in lithium batteries by using electrolyte "anti freezing formula" and modifying negative electrode materials. Chen Jianshe, the team leader of lithium battery technology, said that introducing new electrolyte additives into the electrolyte can lower the working temperature to below minus 50 degrees Celsius; The negative electrode adopts a nano silicon carbon composite structure, which buffers the expansion of silicon particles through a porous carbon skeleton, enabling the battery to maintain a capacity retention rate of 92% after 100 cycles at minus 40 degrees Celsius. The above technology, combined with an adaptive thermal management system, enables the drone to control the range attenuation within 20% when operating in extremely cold areas. A series of technological advancements have effectively solved the problem of short endurance of low altitude aircraft power systems, significantly improving the payload capacity and endurance performance of unmanned aerial vehicles. The ultimate value of building a full chain ecological technology breakthrough lies in promoting the deep integration of the "innovation chain industry chain". Zhang Meng introduced that through multiple flight tests, they have established a battery database under multiple scenarios, environments, and dynamic loads, accumulating data for all-weather, wide temperature range, and cross regional flights, and improving technological maturity. At present, the hydrogen lithium hybrid technology has completed pilot testing and entered the commercial acceleration period. Drones equipped with high-energy hydrogen lithium hybrid power systems can be applied in various fields such as agriculture, tourism, forestry, fisheries, and emergency response. In terms of fisheries, it can monitor the water quality and algae in scenic areas, and patrol and monitor illegal fishing in scenic areas; In forestry, it can monitor forest resources, inspect and warn of forest fires; In agriculture, it can monitor and warn of pests and diseases in tea gardens, as well as the growth status of tea leaves; In terms of cold environment applications, drones can remotely transport materials. We are building a full chain ecosystem of 'materials components systems scenes'. ”Chen Zhongwei introduced that Shanghai Xiba Technology Co., Ltd. has established an enterprise specializing in the production of hydrogen hybrid power supplies and high specific energy lithium batteries. Its production line is being intensively constructed, with a planned annual production capacity of 7500 sets of power systems. Looking ahead to the future, the team will strive to achieve mass production line implementation by 2026, complete the commercial closed loop of logistics, inspection scenarios, and agriculture, and deliver more than 1000 sets of products; In 2028, we will launch specialized models for high-altitude, oceanic, high-temperature, low-temperature, and other sub models, expanding to application scenarios such as border patrol, offshore wind power inspection, and extreme cold; By 2030, the team will establish industry standards for "hydrogen lithium hybrid power" and deliver over 10000 sets in total. Chen Zhongwei stated that the team will continue to deeply cultivate hydrogen lithium coupling technology, making "China Power" a green new benchmark for the global low altitude economy. (New Society)