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Drone technology sees major breakthrough in the form of an ultra-strong carbon fiber hull suitable for large-scale production of high-performance underwater drones, created by a team of Chinese scientists. The new hull has demonstrated remarkable resilience and can easily withstand immense pressure at depths of up to 6,000 meters, challenging the traditional belief that carbon fiber is unsuitable for underwater use.
The researchers published a study, in which they explained the advantages of carbon fiber over traditional materials like alloy steel or titanium alloys (commonly used in deep-sea submersibles) – they claim that carbon fiber’s low density, high strength, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility make it an ideal material for underwater applications. Senior engineer Guo Yuqi, who led the study, said: “Currently, the pressure-resistant structures of deep-sea submersibles typically employ alloy steel or titanium alloys, but due to their high material density, the weight of these pressure-resistant structures accounts for a large proportion of the total weight, limiting the load capacity of deep-sea submersibles.”
According to Interesting Engineering, the carbon fiber hull was tested and proven to be exceptionally strong and withstand immense pressure. The team’s approach involved a 3cm-thick carbon fiber pressure hull with a slim 1mm waterproof coating that provides essential protection against leaks, damage, and other potential issues during normal use. The front and back of the hull are constructed from a titanium alloy material that can withstand alternating seawater pressure (which happens during ascents and descents).
Another major innovation is the thinner carbon fiber hull that was specifically designed for low-cost underwater drones operating in shallow waters – a 3mm-thick hull with a diameter of 1 meter that could revolutionize the production of affordable underwater drones for various applications.
When it comes to worldwide implications, this new tech is set to revolutionize the world of drones, especially in regard to the ongoing drone arms race between China and the US, who both plan to deploy large numbers of unmanned weapons in key waters like the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea – as the countries fight for dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, the development and deployment of advanced underwater drones could majorly impact the power balance.
