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...
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Mark Summers
- Jul 25, 2023
- 0 min
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
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Mark Summers
- May 23, 2023
- 1 min
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.
108 views0 comments
Mark Summers
- Mar 30, 2023
- 1 min
Airship Solar Cells
These solar cells are custom made for use in airships. Airships offer unique challenges for solar arrays. The solar cell mounting...
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Mark Summers
- Jan 14, 2023
- 1 min
Idefx Protoype 3 maneuverability test
Previous prototypes had high maneuverability at low airspeeds, however because they relied exclusively on vectored thrust, that...
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Mark Summers
- Jun 8, 2022
- 1 min
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,...
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Mark Summers
- May 22, 2022
- 1 min
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...
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Mark Summers
- Mar 13, 2022
- 1 min
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...
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Mark Summers
- Feb 6, 2022
- 2 min
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...
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Mark Summers
- Dec 12, 2021
- 1 min
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...
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Mark Summers
- Oct 3, 2021
- 1 min
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...
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Mark Summers
- Jun 6, 2021
- 1 min
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...
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Mark Summers
- May 2, 2021
- 1 min
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...
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Mark Summers
- Jan 31, 2021
- 1 min
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...
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