The main aim of the SOLEM-MO project is to mature the technology & manufacturing processes required for reliable & cost-effective serial production of ultra-lightweight electrical machines, and deliver UK readiness to address rapidly growing demand in PEMD (Power Electronics Machines and Drives). The novel manufacturing and design strategies developed during this. The use of ultra-lightweight composite materials - with the enhanced freedom of design and design integration - and state of the art modular motor design are the key elements, which will be incorporated together to meet the project targets.

Project **Aether-NET** is a collaboration between **Voltitude Ltd**, **Formtech-Composites Ltd** and the Particle Instruments & Diagnostics group at the **University-of-Hertfordshire**. It will deliver a multi-role, stratospheric capability supporting cross-sector scenarios including Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Maritime Security use cases. Aether-NET's complete system solution enables enhanced warning of extreme weather events and connectivity solutions for first responders and maritime shipping. Aether-NET shall demonstrate: * **Communications Relay:** Long-range, high throughput VHF/UHF Comms-Relay, optimised for operation in the stratospheric environment from HAPS platforms. A simultaneous multi-channel repeater capability, able to support existing NXDN, dPMR and Tetrapol mobile radio equipment, which is used by emergency services globally, as well as bent pipe modes for military and maritime radio comms relay. Featuring automatic power control to maximise throughput and quality of service, this innovative radio system caters for high demand/throughput while maintaining very low average electrical power consumption. * **Internet Connectivity:** Wideband, long-range, internet connectivity back-haul via stratospheric gateway, connecting remote and inaccessible areas, or regions where infrastructure has been affected by disasters. Internet services are accessible locally using standard, existing Wi-Fi equipment connected to the ground element of the stratospheric gateway. This IP bridge can be used as the ultra-lightweight, long-range datalink for 3rd-party ISR payload data dissemination. * **Environmental intelligence:** Micro-dropsondes offer high resolution meteorological observations to enhance weather forecasting accuracy and provide advanced warning of extreme weather events. The micro-dropsondes will be adapted to include advanced aerosol and particulates sensors to enable accurate extreme weather forecasting, volcanic ash plume detection and bio-aerosol detection. This technology paves the way for other dispensable sensors, such as Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) detection as unattended ground sensors deployed via HAPS. * **Plug and play integration:** Compatible with all existing UK and US HAPS fixed-wing and lighter-than-air platform concepts, with minimal platform dependency. Aether-NET payloads include their own BLOS command and control and data dissemination datalink, ultra-lightweight housing with integrated environmental protection and thermal control systems featuring automatic power management. * **Steerable payload parachute:** Enabling low-cost T&E of high-value payloads in the stratosphere, over the UK, using light/medium-weight category balloons. This steerable parachute recovery system enables safe return of high-value payloads when operated from disposable balloon systems during T&E or operational use cases. The steerable parachute is scalable supporting payloads from 100g to over 3kg. Designed for high-value payload recovery from single use balloons and accurate insertion of unattended ground sensors and special-dropsonde systems.

To meet the UK's 2050 net-zero emissions target, the sale of new petrol and diesel passenger vehicles are to be banned from 2030, so manufacturers are rapidly developing batteries for electric and hybrid powertrains. However, metallic battery enclosures are heavy which reduces vehicle performance and range, while current composite materials struggle to meet the stringent fire, structural and cost requirements. Battery boxes are normally manufactured from aluminium, with some being steel or composite materials. Fire-resistant epoxy, PFA and some thermoplastic composites can meet current demands of structural performance and fire protection, but none of these materials is expected to meet the emerging fire performance standards alongside high mechanical properties and low cost. The objective of this project is therefore to develop a new family of composite battery enclosures that meet these demanding requirements. To prove the concept, the key project output will be a prototype enclosure and 10kWh representative section of a battery pack, tested to relevant standards.

This collaborative project between Formtech Composites and Newcastle University aims to develop a lightweight, high-efficiency electric motor for propulsion of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with focus on high altitude pseudo satellites (HAPSs). The research and development (R&D) activities planned in this project are set to demonstrate a competitive electric propulsion motor technology both in terms of specific performance and cost measures. The use of composite materials and state of the art motor design are the key elements, which will be incorporated together to meet the project targets.

The world-record breaking, unmanned, solar-electric, stratospheric aircraft, Airbus Zephyr, was developed as a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) flying at up to 70kft, carrying payloads that provide services (e.g. surveillance) to the defence sector. Airbus is developing the next generation of Zephyr to address the substantially larger civilian markets in remote sensing & internet connectivity services. This requires improvements in flight performance to expand operations to higher latitudes all year-round, cost reduction & design for higher volume manufacturing. ZIP will develop key technologies in aerostructures, energy storage & propulsion to address these challenges ahead of international competition & strengthen the UK supply chain in time for WRC2020.