HyFlux

The aviation industry has proven its resilience through the Covid crisis, with Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) expected to double by 2050. However, achieving sustainable growth depends on addressing both CO₂ and non-CO₂ emissions. Without true zero-emission solutions, the sector will face a difficult choice: limiting flights or rapidly advancing technology. Hydrogen hybrid-electric propulsion offers a promising path forward, and for single-aisle aircraft, superconducting motors such as those developed by Hyflux will be key enablers of this transition.

Hyflux is addressing the limitations of existing superconducting motors, which face challenges in reliability, design, and manufacturing. This project focuses on developing innovative, fail-safe superconducting motors through a modular design approach. The fail-safe architecture ensures continued operation at reduced torque even in the event of superconductor or cooling system failure, while modularity simplifies design and manufacturing, significantly lowering costs.

In partnership with the University of Strathclyde’s Cryogenic Test Labs, Hyflux is leveraging world-class expertise in superconducting motor applications to tackle critical challenges in aerospace and adjacent sectors. With Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and HVS serving as project advisors, Hyflux is targeting zero-emission aviation and heavy-duty vehicle markets powered by liquid hydrogen, with additional opportunities in marine, rail, and other heavy transport applications.

Hyflux aligns its innovation with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and 13: Climate Action, by developing scalable superconducting motor solutions powered by liquid hydrogen.

Through its modular motor design, Hyflux enables more efficient use of renewable green hydrogen, ensuring sustainable consumption patterns while reducing resource intensity in production and operation. By supporting the aviation sector in cutting the 66% of emissions that must be removed by 2050 to achieve Net Zero, Hyflux takes urgent action to combat climate change and accelerates the transition toward True Zero Emissions Aviation and heavy transport.

Hyflux is developing its High Temperature Superconducting motor using Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, combining SolidWorks and SIMULIA for advanced design and simulation. To meet the rigorous standards of aerospace quality, the company leverages ENOVIA for configuration management and Bill of Materials control, ensuring precision, traceability, and reliability throughout the development process.

Hyflux is working with the support of the UK Innovate Research and Innovation Grant for Zero Emissions Propulsion for Mobility, who are investing with us and University of Strathclyde to build a 100kW demonstrator motor with Full Superconducting and Failsafe features for Aviation.