Solar-powered UAV

Our Final Year Project was to build a UAV with solar powers so that we can increase flight endurance. It was the idea of our supervisor - Dr. LI Boyang. He thinks that applying renewable energy in aircraft has a huge potential to develop in the industry. We thought this was a very interesting challenge. We encountered most challenges in the manufacturing stage. As we are inexperienced in manufacturing techniques, such as soldering and electric cable wiring, and have limited equipment, the manufacturing period severely exceeded what we have scheduled. With the help from Dr. Li and the Industrial Centre, we were able to achieve a great result in the end.

Mr. CHU Yau Hei
BEng(Hons) Aviation Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Mr. HO Chun Leung
BEng(Hons) Aviation Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Ms. LEE Yoon Jo
BEng(Hons) Aviation Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Domain Expertise:

Aviation Engineering

The students, Mr. CHU Yau Hei, Mr. HO Chun Leung, and Miss LEE Yoon Jo, major in Aviation Engineering. They have gained knowledge in various aspects of aviation, including engineering, pilot theory, logistics, and business related to the aviation industry.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Technology

The students' Final Year Project focused on developing a solar-powered UAV to increase flight endurance. They applied their knowledge in aerodynamics and aircraft systems to modify an existing remote-controlled plane into a solar-powered UAV.

Renewable Energy Integration

The students applied their knowledge of renewable energy, particularly solar power, in integrating it with the existing power system of the UAV to improve its flight performance and endurance.

Manufacturing Techniques

During the project, the students faced challenges in manufacturing the UAV, including soldering and electric cable wiring. They had to learn and apply manufacturing techniques to overcome these difficulties.

Project Management

Throughout their Final Year Project, the students learned project management techniques to plan, schedule, and coordinate the various stages of the UAV development. This included setting goals, managing time, and dealing with unexpected delays and challenges.

Lifelong Learning Excellence:

Critical Thinking and Problem-solving

The students faced challenges with time management during their project. They had to deal with unexpected delays in manufacturing and rely on weather conditions for flight tests. They learned the importance of adhering to schedules, setting backup plans (Plan B and C), and accepting imperfect results to meet project deadlines.

Research and Investigation

Throughout the project, the students encountered various technical challenges in designing and modifying the UAV. They had to think critically and find creative solutions to overcome these obstacles. They also sought help from the online community and technicians to solve specific problems.

Project Management and Teamwork

The students learned project management techniques and experienced their significance through practice. They divided the project into smaller parts and assigned specific responsibilities to each team member. Regular meetings were held to keep everyone informed about progress and challenges.
Working as a team on the project, the students emphasized the importance of effective communication and teamwork. They realized the value of sharing knowledge, seeking advice from team members, and leveraging each other's expertise. Good communication facilitated efficient problem-solving and made the overall project more successful.

Networking and Collaboration

The students mentioned the importance of building good relationships with professors and making friends on campus. They acknowledged that these relationships could provide exclusive opportunities and support in their future careers or studies. Interacting with people from different backgrounds also helped them gain new perspectives and broaden their horizons.

Inspiring Quotes:

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