Doosan Mobility Innovation-POSCO SPS, 'UP' Lightweight Fuel Cell Technology for SuSo Drone

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) announced on the 25th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with POSCO SPS on the 24th to develop an ultra-thin 20μm thick metal separator plate for hydrogen drones. The metal separator plate is one of the core components that make up fuel cells.

POSCO SPS, a subsidiary of POSCO International, is a steel processing specialist company producing precision rolled products, motor cores for eco-friendly vehicles, and metal separator plates. POSCO SPS explained, "The 'Poss470FC' material, developed in-house for use in metal separator plates, has excellent corrosion resistance, conductivity, long-term durability, and performance uniformity, and features an eco-friendly characteristic that does not require plating processes."

Fuel cells used in aerial mobility such as hydrogen drones require lightweight design and a high level of technological expertise. DMI has already co-developed a 50μm metal separator plate with POSCO SPS and applied it to hydrogen fuel cell power packs for drones. The 50μm metal separator plate is the thinnest product currently available and is about half the thickness of metal separator plates used in hydrogen vehicles (80μm to 100μm).

Through this newly strengthened cooperation agreement, the two companies plan to jointly develop a 20μm metal separator plate, advancing beyond existing technology, while exploring opportunities to enter various mobility businesses such as cargo drones and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Once the 20μm metal separator plate development is completed, it is expected to be applicable to fuel cells in various aerial mobility fields.

DMI CEO Lee Doosoon stated, "The metal separator plate is an important component with about 450 units used per hydrogen drone, and it is a core technology for DMI to expand into various business areas such as cargo drones. We will strive to develop technologies and products applicable to various mobility sectors through the synergy of DMI’s design technology and POSCO SPS’s material processing technology."

DMI is expanding its business scope, having signed a joint development MOU for hydrogen robots with Chinese robotics specialist Zhongxin Heavy Industry Kaicheng Intelligence in February. Additionally, DMI plans to enter the cargo drone business by developing a 15kW fuel cell applying the 50μm metal separator plate.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.