Sun, Jun 30, 2024
Promises Range and Safety Improvements
Everett, Washington,-based electric aviation company magniX has launched a new battery it calls Samson for aviation and other applications that require high levels of safety, performance, and reliability.
magniX says its battery has an industry-leading specific energy density of 300 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) and a life cycle greater than 1,000 full-depth discharge cycles. It also says the battery has proprietary safety features and is optimized for aviation certification. The energy density gives aircraft greater range and its higher life cycle number lengthens the interval between replacements, lowering operating costs.
The product’s safety technology includes cell-level protections against thermal runaway and the ability for storage at zero charge for extended periods of time. There is active ground cooling during charging for faster turnaround times, as well as an optional feature for passive cooling during flight. The architecture of the battery is modular to enable scalable installation appropriate for the size of the aircraft.
Ben Loxton is the VP of Energy Storage Systems and the NASA Electric Powertrain Flight Demonstration Program at magniX. He said, “magniX’s Samson batteries represent a breakthrough for magniX and electric aviation. With unrivalled energy density, cycle life, and safety features, magniX’s Samson batteries will help to unlock the tremendous potential of electric flight – enabling many eVTOLs and electric programs on the edge of viability to become viable.”
magniX CEO Reed Macdonald said, “We are thrilled to introduce this revolutionary battery technology to the world of electric aviation and beyond. With the development of our Samson batteries, magniX can now offer customers a fully integrated electric powertrain, and it’s just the beginning. The roadmap to an energy density of 400Wh/kg or more is looking very promising. The future of flight is here, and it is being powered by magniX.”
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