Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with POSCO SPS on March 24 and will develop a 20μm ultra-thin metal separator that will be used for fuel cells for hydrogen drones.
POSCO SPS, a subsidiary of POSCO International, is a steel processing company that specializes in producing precision rolled products, motor cores for eco-friendly cars, and metal separation plates.
The "Poss470FC" material developed by POSCO SPS and used in metal separation plates has eco-friendly features such as corrosion resistance, conductivity, long-term durability, performance uniformity, and no plating process required.
For fuel cells used in aviation mobility, such as hydrogen drones, lightweight is especially important and it requires a high level of technology.
DMI has already jointly developed a 50 μm metal separation plate with POSCO SPS and applied it to power packs for hydrogen fuel cells for drones.
The 50 μm metal separation plate is the thinnest of the existing separation plates and is half the metal separation plate (80 μm to 100 μm thick) used in hydrogen car fuel cells.
Under the agreement to further strengthen cooperation, the two companies will take a step further from their existing technology and jointly develop 20 μm metal separation plates, while seeking opportunities to enter various mobility businesses such as Cargo Drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
When the development of 20 μm metal separation plates is completed, it is expected that they will be able to be applied to more diverse fuel cells in aviation mobility fields.
CEO of DMI Lee Doo-soon said, "The metal separation plate is a very important part as some 450 plates are needed for one hydrogen drone, and it is a key technology for DMI to advance into various business areas such as cargo drones."
Meanwhile, DMI signed an agreement with Chinese robot company CITIC HIC Kaicheng Intelligence in February to jointly develop hydrogen robots, expanding its business scope.
It also plans to develop 15kW fuel cells with 50μm metal separation plates and enter the cargo drone business.
DMI commercialized world's first industrial drone that uses hydrogen fuel cells as a power source. By utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, DMI drones can fly for more than two hours beyond the limit of battery drones with a flight time of about 30 minutes.
As a result, product power is highly regarded for being able to perform duties such as inspecting, surveying, searching, and rescue infrastructure facilities that are difficult for humans to do directly.
