H3X has secured $20 million to enhance its production capabilities and prepare for the launch of its megawatt-class electric motors designed for commercial aviation.
High-energy-density mega-motor anticipates a new generation of high-performance electric aircraft
H3X, an emerging player in the aerospace engine sector, has made notable progress since its inception. Initially, the company depended solely on digital designs and ambitious plans to develop the most power-dense engines ever created. However, it has now successfully delivered its first batch of engines to customers and signed agreements with significant entities like the US Air Force and NASA. After securing an eight-figure funding round, H3X is concentrating on the launch of even larger and more powerful megawatt-class engines aimed at reducing carbon emissions across the aerospace, maritime, and industrial sectors.
Design innovation to maximize efficiency
Typically, increasing power requires a corresponding increase in weight, necessitating larger or additional motors and extra drivetrain components. However, H3X has developed an effective approach to defy this conventional wisdom. Its strategy focuses on reducing weight, optimizing efficiency, and increasing power by utilizing a single additive-manufactured cooling jacket that cools both the motor stator and power electronics, refining the design of the stator winding, and enhancing its electromagnetic properties.
H3X has successfully incorporated a significant amount of power into compact, integrated motors. Its current lineup features three models, including the HPDM-250, which has a maximum output of 200 kilowatts (kW). Weighing 18.7 kg, this motor is slightly heavier than the 250 unit estimated in 2020, which weighed 15 kg. The increase in weight is mainly attributed to its integrated 6.7:1 gearbox, yet it still boasts an impressive power density of 10.7 kW/kg. Additionally, it has achieved a peak system efficiency exceeding the original projection, at 95.4%.
Competitor comparisons and future projections
The HPDM-250 is currently H3X’s most widely produced motor, but this will soon change with the arrival of new models. For instance, UK manufacturer Equipmake recently unveiled its HPM-400 motor in 2023, touted as the world’s highest power density motor with a density of 13.3 kW/kg. However, Equipmake bases this figure on peak power, rather than continuous power. When compared directly, H3X’s HPDM-250 surpasses that figure with a peak power density of 13.4 kW/kg. Moreover, H3X’s integration of the inverter within the 18.7 kg motor package, versus Equipmake’s separate 10 kg inverter, further enhances the HPDM’s impressive specifications.
H3X recently announced the completion of a $20 million funding round, which will be allocated toward the development of its next three engines: the HPDM-350, 1500, and 2300, advancing H3X’s technology into the megawatt class.
The future of sustainable electrification in transport
The HPDM-1500, one of the engines under development, is anticipated to weigh 125 kg and deliver 1,500 kW of continuous power, which would surpass the HPDM-250’s power density, reaching 12 kW/kg (continuous). This level is significant as it matches the target established by the US Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) ASCEND program, which aims to create net-zero emissions, single-aisle electric aircraft comparable in size to a Boeing 737. The agency has concluded that a continuous power density of 12 kW/kg or more is essential for such an aircraft to achieve a typical five-hour flight.
Currently, aircraft propulsion systems function within the range of 3 to 4 kW/kg, according to estimates from H3X. The company predicts that on certain aircraft, the range could effectively double by substituting existing propulsion systems with its energy-dense units. In this scenario, the weight savings achieved by employing HPDM engines would be redirected towards increasing battery capacity.
Applications beyond aviation
Alongside electric aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), H3X is developing its next-generation, higher-power motors for applications that include large marine vessels such as ferries, tugs, and submarines, industrial machinery, and electric locomotives. The HPDM lineup is also designed for hybrid systems, functioning as both motors and generators. With hollow shafts, the HPDM units can be stacked modularly, and H3X claims that up to six 1,500 kW motors could be combined for a total output of 9 megawatts.
H3X is involved in the design, testing, and manufacturing of its engines at its 16,000-square-foot headquarters located near Denver. In addition to creating the next series of engines, the company plans to utilize part of the $20 million from its Series A funding to ramp up production and meet existing contract obligations.
Positioned as a significant player in the shift towards more sustainable and efficient transportation, H3X’s advancements in energy-dense electric motor technology aim not only to reduce carbon emissions in essential sectors but also to revolutionize the aviation, maritime, and industrial fields. With strong financial backing and technological progress, H3X is set to spearhead the next era of electrification in transportation and beyond.
More information: www.h3x.tech
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H3X has raised $20 million to increase its production capacity and prepare for the launch of its megawatt-class electric motors for commercial aircraft.
High-energy-density mega-motor anticipates a new generation of high-performance electric aircraft
H3X, an emerging startup in the field of aerospace engines, has made significant strides since its early stages of development. Previously, the company relied only on digital renderings and ambitious plans to create the most power-dense engines known to man. Since then, it has managed to get its first batch of engines into the hands of its customers and has signed contracts with key players such as the US Air Force and NASA. Following an eight-figure funding round, H3X is now focused on launching even larger and more powerful megawatt-class machines to reduce carbon emissions in the aerospace, maritime, and industrial sectors.
Design innovation to maximize efficiency
Typically, an increase in power translates to an increase in weight due to the need for larger or more numerous motors and additional drivetrain components. However, H3X has developed an effective formula to break this intuitive rule. Its strategy for reducing weight, optimizing efficiency, and increasing power includes using a single additive-manufactured cooling jacket to cool both the motor stator and power electronics, improving the design of the stator winding, and optimizing its electromagnetism.
H3X has managed to pack a lot of power into compact, integrated motors. Its current motor lineup includes three models, including the HPDM-250, which tops out at 200 kilowatts (kW). Weighing 18.7 kg, this motor is slightly heavier than the 250 unit projected in 2020, which weighed 15 kg. This weight increase is primarily due to its integrated 6.7:1 gearbox, but it still maintains an impressive power density of 10.7 kW/kg. It has also achieved a better-than-originally-projected peak system efficiency of 95.4%.
Competitor comparisons and future projections
The HPDM-250 is currently H3X’s most widely produced motor, but this will soon change with the introduction of new models. For example, UK manufacturer Equipmake’s HPM-400 motor, unveiled in 2023 as the world’s highest power density motor, has a density of 13.3 kW/kg. However, Equipmake calculates this figure using peak power, not continuous power. When comparing like-for-like, H3X’s HPDM-250 outperforms this figure with a peak power density of 13.4 kW/kg. Furthermore, the fact that H3X integrates the inverter within the 18.7 kg motor package, while Equipmake’s inverter is a separate 10 kg component, reinforces the HPDM’s impressive figures.
H3X recently announced the closure of a US$20 million funding round, which will be used to develop the next engines in its line: the HPDM-350, 1500, and 2300, which will advance H3X’s technology into the megawatt class.
The future of sustainable electrification in transport
The HPDM-1500, one of the engines in development, is estimated to weigh 125 kg and develop 1,500 kW of continuous power, meaning its power density will exceed that of the HPDM-250, reaching 12 kW/kg (continuous). This is notably significant as it matches the benchmark set by the US Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) ASCEND program, which aims for net-zero emissions, single-aisle electric aircraft comparable in size to a Boeing 737. The agency has determined that a power density of 12 kW/kg continuous or more is necessary for such an aircraft to complete a typical five-hour flight.
Currently, aircraft propulsion systems operate in the range of 3 to 4 kW/kg, according to H3X estimates. The company projects that, for some aircraft, replacing existing propulsion systems with its energy-dense units could effectively double the range. This calculation factors in the weight saved by using HPDM engines to increase battery capacity.
Applications beyond aviation
In addition to electric aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), H3X is developing its next-generation, higher-power motors for applications including large marine vessels such as ferries, tugs, submarines, industrial equipment, and electric locomotives. The HPDM line is also positioned for use in hybrid systems, both as motors and generators. Featuring hollow shafts, the HPDM units are designed to be stacked modularly, and H3X claims that up to six 1,500 kW motors could be stacked for a total of 9 megawatts of power.
H3X designs, tests, and manufactures its engines at its 16,000-square-foot headquarters outside Denver. In addition to developing its next series of engines, the company will allocate part of the $20 million in Series A funding to scale production and fulfill existing contracts.
H3X is positioned as a key player in the transition to more sustainable and efficient transportation. Its innovations in energy-dense electric motor design not only promise to reduce carbon emissions in key sectors but also transform the aviation, shipping, and industrial landscape. With financial support and technological advancements, H3X is poised to lead the next generation of electrification in transportation and beyond.
More information: www.h3x.tech
If you liked this article, please share it with your friends on social media. Thank you!
