Bayer deepens involvement in futuristic Solar Impulse aircraft

Bayer MaterialScience is expanding its contribution to the Solar Impulse project - an unprecedented around-the-world flight powered solely by solar energy scheduled for take off in 2015. The company specialises in high-performance materials and is responsible for the complete design of the cockpit shell of the second, improved model. Amongst its contributions will be an innovative, extremely high-performance insulating material. Solar Impulse and Bayer MaterialScience announced at a joint news conference in Payerne, Switzerland, that the new solar aircraft is expected to be completed in late 2013 and will conduct test flights the following year. 

The first model will remain available for additional missions. "We are studying several possibilities and it could perhaps be making its first flights around the United States next year," announced Bertrand Piccard, the initiator and Chairman of the Swiss project that proves clean technologies are fully reliable allowing to drastically reduce energy consumption. So far the solar aircraft has completed flights in Europe and most recently to North Africa, in each case with materials from Bayer MaterialScience on board.

"We are now deepening our involvement as we go from materials supplier to system leader for the new cockpit," said Patrick Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Bayer MaterialScience. "The Bayer Cross will be displayed on the aircraft in the future as a visible symbol of our commitment to this excellent partnership." 

Bayer MaterialScience is contributing a variety of products and solutions to ensure that the second, larger model of the futuristic aircraft will be lightweight, yet retain its rigidity. For example, because the cockpit cowl will be hinged for the first time, a section of it is being supported with a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. 

In addition, the innovative polyurethane foam Baytherm Microcell will be used as insulation in places. It is being developed together with the chemical company Solvay for use in the new plane. The material offers significantly greater insulating performance than the current standard because Bayer researchers were able to shrink the pores in the foam by an additional 40 percent. Highly efficient insulation is particularly important for the aircraft because it must withstand temperature fluctuations between minus 50 degrees Celsius at night and plus 50 degrees during the day.

Carbon nanotubes on board

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