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Making Airship Glue: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Solution
This video covers a useful solution we call Airship Glue, good for building envelopes, encapsulating solar cells, and strengthening...
Mark Summers
Nov 17, 20241 min read
54 views
0 comments

Gedankenexperiment: Solarbetriebenes Transport-Luftschiff Tritea
Es wird kein bestimmtes Luftschiff zum Bau vorgeschlagen. Wir möchten jedoch die Phantasie und die Diskussion darüber anregen, was auf...
Mark Summers
Oct 23, 20242 min read
77 views
0 comments

Thought Experiment: Solar Cargo Airship Triteia
No specific airship is proposed to be built. However we would like to encourage imagination and discussion of what might be possible...
Mark Summers
Oct 23, 20242 min read
33 views
0 comments


A Tiny Racing Blimp Wins Big! 🏆
Our researcher, Mark Summers, designed a tiny airship to compete in this year's Airship Regatta at Design and Engineering of...
Dr. Daniel Wibbing
Jul 26, 20241 min read
68 views
0 comments


Detecting Leaks in a Blimp Envelope Using a Refrigerant Detector
In this video we see demonstrate how to detect leaks using a refrigerant leak detector
Mark Summers
Jul 25, 20230 min read
108 views
0 comments


New DCF envelope for Idefx protoype
A new envelope for the Idefx prototype, with new improved materials and design to improve gas retention and reduce drag.
Mark Summers
May 23, 20231 min read
127 views
0 comments


Airship Solar Cells
These solar cells are custom made for use in airships. Airships offer unique challenges for solar arrays. The solar cell mounting...
Mark Summers
Mar 30, 20231 min read
109 views
1 comment


Idefx Protoype 3 maneuverability test
Previous prototypes had high maneuverability at low airspeeds, however because they relied exclusively on vectored thrust, that...
Mark Summers
Jan 14, 20231 min read
215 views
0 comments


Idefx Prototype 2 Test Flight
This prototype has a few changes compared to the last build. First, it uses a PVDC gas barrier. Second, it is slightly larger. Finally,...
Mark Summers
Jun 8, 20221 min read
243 views
0 comments


PVDC Gas Barrier Envelope
In our continuing efforts to improve gas retention over the lifespan of the envelope, a new envelope has been constructed using...
Mark Summers
May 22, 20221 min read
101 views
0 comments


Idefx prototype 2 build
This is the newest idefx prototype using the new all polymer envelope. A few other changes from the first prototype include using ducted...
Mark Summers
Mar 13, 20221 min read
137 views
0 comments


Increasing envelope gas retention
I have been working to improve the gas retention of the idefx prototype. Previously an aluminized gas barrier was used. However it was...
Mark Summers
Feb 6, 20222 min read
93 views
2 comments


Seasons greetings with a new envelope
Using lessons learned from the Airship Regatta competition, the idefx prototype is being rebuilt. One change will be to separate the...
Mark Summers
Dec 12, 20211 min read
103 views
0 comments


Racing Blimp First Test Flight
This blimp was created for entry into the Airship Regatta in Friedrichshafen. It is a smaller blimp implementing a DOVe system similar to...
Mark Summers
Oct 3, 20211 min read
133 views
1 comment


idefx test flight with partially filled envelope
The idefx prototype is being constructed and tested on the edge of the Great Basin Desert. It is high altitude, has large temperature...
Mark Summers
Jun 6, 20211 min read
195 views
0 comments


idefX test flight with new electronics
A brief opening of favorable weather conditions appeared over the weekend, so I was able to take the idefx prototype out for a few quick...
Mark Summers
May 2, 20211 min read
197 views
0 comments

Blimp Envelope Material Comparison: Balloon Foil vs LoonTex
We developed LoonTex for use in small blimp drones, where weight savings are important. In this video we compare it with traditional...
Mark Summers
Jan 31, 20211 min read
611 views
3 comments
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