UAM: A New Paradigm in Urban Transportation

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an emerging next-generation transportation system that enables short-range air travel within cities. With its advantages of eco-friendliness, low noise, and rapid mobility, UAM is being actively pursued by global corporations and governments for technology development and commercialization.
According to a report by Morgan Stanley, the UAM market is projected to grow to USD 1 trillion (approximately KRW 1,300 trillion) by 2040. Many other industry reports also highlight similar outlooks, emphasizing the vast market potential of UAM.

Next-Generation Energy Solution for UAM: Hydrogen Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

While lithium-ion batteries have been the primary energy source for UAM, limitations in weight, charging time, and flight range have raised the need for alternative solutions. Hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFC, ) are gaining attention as the next-generation energy solution due to the following advantages:

- High Energy Density & Long-Range Flight:
  PEMFCs offer an energy-to-weight ratio over 10 times higher than lithium-ion batteries, enabling extended flight distance and operating time.
- Fast Refueling & High Operational Efficiency:
  Hydrogen fuel cells can be refueled in just 5–10 minutes, making them ideal for UAMs requiring frequent operations. While battery-based UAMs can operate 1–2 flights per charge, PEMFCs allow for over 5 consecutive flights.
- Lightweight & Environmentally Friendly:
  With a simpler structure and lighter weight compared to batteries, PEMFCs contribute to aircraft weight reduction and emit only pure water, improving urban air quality.
- Low Noise & Durability:
  PEMFCs operate with minimal vibration and noise, helping reduce urban noise pollution.

Notably, a leading U.S. UAM company 'J' has successfully increased its VTOL’s range from 200 km to 800 km by applying hydrogen power.

Characteristics and Technical Challenges of PEMFC

PEMFCs operate at low temperatures (50–100°C) and offer high power density with compact size and weight, making them suitable for transportable and mobile power sources like UAM. However, they face the following technical challenges:

 - High cost due to platinum-based catalysts
- Performance sensitivity to humidity and fuel purity
- Limited heat recovery applications

To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to improve the durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of stacks and key components. As such, full-cycle (Value Chain) technology capabilities are becoming a key competitive factor.

VINATech's Core PEMFC Technology Competitiveness

With 24 years of R&D experience in fuel cells, VINATech is the only company in Korea that has established a fully vertically integrated production system, covering from substrate and catalyst to MEA and separator plate development and manufacturing. Based on this system, VinaTech’s PEMFC technology offers the following strengths:

 - High durability based on carbon control technologies
- 2.5x longer lifespan with ultra-durable catalyst manufacturing
- 75% platinum reduction for cost competitiveness
- Direct coating MEA process for cost innovation and durability
- Virtually permanent durability of separator plates

VINATech’s PEMFC solutions are backed by numerous patents and have been adopted in global projects across commercial vehicles, aviation, and building energy systems, proving our world-class technological capability.

VINATech’s Energy Solution for Sustainable Urban Mobility

PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells) are emerging as next-generation energy systems capable of enabling long-distance operation, high turnaround efficiency, and eco-friendliness in future mobility. The value of PEMFCs is especially maximized in service models that demand medium- to long-range routes, heavy-duty transport, and continuous 24/7 operation.

However, PEMFCs cannot operate independently and require secondary energy storage systems. Moreover, when high peak power is needed instantly during mobility operation, limitations may arise in output response speed and durability. To address these challenges, VINATech proposes a hybrid energy solution that combines hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFC) with supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors can rapidly deliver high bursts of power and respond swiftly to sudden load fluctuations, thereby complementing the limitations of fuel cells. In this hybrid system, fuel cells provide stable energy during normal operation, while supercapacitors instantly supply auxiliary power during peak demand, maximizing both operational efficiency and safety.

At the center of this transformation, VINATech aims to be a key partner driving energy system innovation. Beyond simply supplying energy sources, we offer technology-driven hybrid energy solutions that combine hydrogen fuel cells and supercapacitors—paving the way for sustainable, next-generation urban transportation infrastructure.

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