The development of electric aircraft is one of the biggest challenges and opportunities the aerospace sector is facing. There is increased pressure for environmentally friendly alternative fuels and power sources; new technologies are needed to meet future emission regulations while lowering costs.
Another benefit is that electric aircraft would provide near-silent flight. It is not clear that we can develop a truly all electric aircraft, but a greater utilisation of electric systems in conventional aircraft would be beneficial. And with technological breakthroughs in electric engines, battery power storage and solar energy harvesting, electric aircraft have moved from a concept to a practical future technology – though significant advances in many areas including continuous in-air power sources and battery energy density are needed.
IET Publishing therefore feels that the time is right for a Research Monograph to summarise the current state of the art and point to further research that is needed.
We are looking for contributors to such a book, plus an editor who can bring it to fruition.
If you are interested either on contributing a chapter or becoming the Editor, please contact Dr John Walker, Editor-in-Chief of the IET Book Series on "Transportation".