Electrified Aviation and Advances in Thermal Management Systems

Electrified propulsion is a promising concept for reducing emissions and enabling quieter aircraft operations. The successful implementation of (hybrid-)electric propulsion systems depends heavily on effective thermal management. While components such as electric motors and batteries are individually efficient, their integration generates significant heat during operation. Managing this waste heat, especially under varying flight conditions, requires highly efficient, lightweight, and safe thermal management systems. These systems must dissipate heat without compromising performance, safety, or weight limits, making thermal management a critical factor in the viability and optimization of (hybrid-)electric aircraft. A thermal management system includes several critical components, such as motors and generators, batteries, heat exchangers, power transmission and distribution systems, energy storage units, fuel cells, cooling fluids and pipes, control systems, pumps, and fans—all of which require effective heat management to ensure efficient and safe operation.

The goal of this research topic is to gather and promote innovations in thermal management systems specifically designed for (hybrid-)electric aviation. As aircraft propulsion transitions toward electrification, effective thermal management becomes essential to ensure high system efficiency, reliability, and safety. This includes managing heat generated by different components such as batteries, electric motors, power electronics, and fuel cells, etc., as well as optimizing energy transfer under varying flight conditions. This research topic welcomes contributions that explore novel cooling technologies, heat exchangers, system architectures, component cooling, and energy recovery methods, all aimed at advancing the thermal efficiency and viability of (hybrid-)electric aircraft.

This research topic welcomes original research articles, review papers, short communications, and other contributions related to thermal management systems for (hybrid-)electric aviation. Both experimental and numerical studies are encouraged, provided they advance scientific understanding in this area. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Heat exchangers and heat sinks
• Fuel cell cooling
• Electric motor/generator cooling
• Battery cooling
• Cooling techniques for power electronics
• Cryogenic cooling
• Thermal management system integration
• Heat transfer in additively manufactured heat exchangers
• Thermo-mechanical behavior of heat exchangers
• Thermal management system optimization and control algorithm
• Coolants and plumbing
• Hydrogen/coolant storage and tanks
• Hybrid-electric propulsion system architecture
• Modeling and optimization techniques related to (hybrid-)electric propulsion systems

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Electrified propulsion, Thermal management, Hybrid-electric aircraft, Heat exchangers, Battery cooling, Cryogenic cooling, Power electronics, Fuel cell cooling, System integration, Energy efficiency

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.