Imagine a drone so small it fits in your palm, yet powerful enough to fly indefinitely using only sunlight. This week, researchers at Beijing's Beihang University revealed CoulombFly, a micro aerial vehicle (MAV) weighing less than a sheet of paper—smashing previous size and weight records by 90% and 99.8%, respectively!
The Breakthrough: Static Electricity Meets Solar Power
Traditional micro drones rely on bulky electromagnetic motors that overheat quickly, but CoulombFly’s electrostatic motor uses the Coulomb force—think charged particles doing a silent dance—to spin its blade efficiently. This cuts energy loss and heat, allowing it to soar as long as sunlight hits its tiny solar panels.
Why It Matters
Before this? Even top-tier micro drones like Harvard’s 2019 Robobee needed triple the natural sunlight intensity to stay airborne. CoulombFly works in regular daylight, unlocking endless possibilities: environmental monitoring, disaster rescue, and even delivering supplies through tight spaces.
Next-Level Efficiency
Co-author Peng Jinzhe explains: \"Static electricity runs on high voltage but low current, so we avoid energy-draining heat.\" The result? A motor 10x more efficient than traditional models, using 90% less power for lift-off.
Lead researcher Yan Xiaojun says the tech could soon aid emergency responders and explore narrow environments—no batteries needed.
This week, researchers at Beijing's Beihang University revealed CoulombFly, a micro aerial vehicle (MAV) weighing less than a sheet of paper—smashing previous size and weight records by 90% and 99.8%, respectively!
This cuts energy loss and heat, allowing it to soar as long as sunlight hits its tiny solar panels.
