Postgraduate Certificate in Solar Power Design for Aircraft

About this Podcast

HOST: Welcome to our podcast, today I'm thrilled to be speaking with Dr. Jane Smith, an expert in solar power design for aircraft and the lead instructor of a new Postgraduate Certificate course on this very topic. Dr. Smith, can you tell us a bit about what students can expect to learn in this course? GUEST: Absolutely, the course covers everything from lightweight solar cell technology to battery management systems and power electronics. It's designed to prepare students for a career in this exciting and rapidly growing field. HOST: That sounds fascinating! I'm curious, what inspired you to create this course? Was there a particular experience or insight that drove you to focus on solar power design for aircraft? GUEST: Yes, I've been working in the aerospace industry for over a decade, and I've seen firsthand the potential for renewable energy to transform aviation. I wanted to create a course that would give students the practical skills and expertise they need to be at the forefront of this revolution. HOST: And what current industry trends are most relevant to this course? I imagine there's a lot of innovation happening in this space. GUEST: Absolutely, one trend that's particularly exciting is the growth of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market. These aircraft are ideal candidates for solar power integration, and we'll be exploring this topic in depth in the course. HOST: That's really interesting. Now, as with any new technology, there must be challenges involved in designing and integrating solar power systems for aircraft. Can you share some of the obstacles you've encountered in your own work? GUEST: Certainly. One of the biggest challenges is finding ways to maximize energy harvesting while minimizing weight and maintaining flight performance. It's a delicate balance, but it's also what makes this field so rewarding. HOST: I can imagine. Finally, I'd like to ask about the future of this area. Where do you see solar power design for aircraft headed in the next 5 to 10 years? GUEST: I believe we'll see more and more aircraft incorporating solar power into their designs, from small UAVs to commercial airliners. As the technology improves and becomes more cost-effective, the possibilities are truly endless. HOST: That's an inspiring vision for the future. Thank you so much, Dr. Smith, for joining us today and sharing your insights on this exciting new course. GUEST: My pleasure, thank you for having me.