Solar-Powered Fixed-Wing Aircraft Design; Balancing Renewable Energy Demands and Locals Rights: Lithium Extraction in Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats and its Impact on Local Communities

The general problem that connects both my thesis projects is the global challenge of climate change and the public’s response to combat it. The aviation industry remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, while technologies meant to offset these emissions, such as electric vehicles, depend on lithium-ion batteries, which require lithium extraction. My technical research investigates the feasibility of a solar-powered, autonomous aircraft designed for surveillance and exploration missions. My STS research explores how the increased global demand for lithium impacts Indigenous and local communities living in Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats, a major lithium reserve.
My technical capstone project focuses on the development of an unmanned, solar-powered aircraft optimized for surveillance and exploration, rather than commercial transport. This decision was rooted in practicality: autonomous aircraft require less power and have reduced payload demands, making solar energy a more feasible option. Our goal was to contribute to the advancement of sustainable aviation technologies through a focused, functional prototype. The design process involved a variety of engineering tools. We used XFLR5 for aerodynamic analysis, SolidWorks for CAD modeling, and ANSYS Fluent for further simulations. Granta EduPack was employed for material selection, where we found that carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) offered the best tradeoff between yield strength and density. Structurally, we implemented industry-standard components, such as I-beam spars and a configuration of 10 ribs and 10 stringers per wing. Our design also incorporated winglets to reduce drag and improve efficiency. Through water tunnel experiments using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), we identified the most aerodynamically effective winglet shape. A significant design decision was to use a rectangular wing profile, since it generated more lift than a trapezoidal wing and provided more surface area for solar panel placement. Although we did not fabricate a working prototype, we successfully developed a finalized conceptual design, laying the foundation for future prototyping and testing. Overall, this project reinforced the potential of solar-powered aircraft in low-weight, low-speed missions and provided valuable insights into materials, aerodynamics, and sustainable design strategies.
In my STS research, I examined the impact of lithium extraction on community rights in Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats. This region, known for its beauty and tourism economy, also contains one of the world’s largest lithium reserves. In my research, I reviewed a combination of academic literature, media coverage, and academic journals. To contextualize Bolivia’s situation, I also examined lithium extraction in Chile and Argentina, which are two other countries within the "Lithium Triangle." My findings revealed that, despite Bolivia’s state-controlled approach to lithium development (unlike the privatized models in Chile and Argentina), Indigenous and local communities are still excluded from decision-making processes. Many community members believe that lithium extraction will disrupt the ecological balance and cultural significance of the salt flats. Indigenous leaders in Bolivia fear that current policies prioritize foreign investment over community well-being, mirroring historical patterns of colonial resource exploitation. Additionally, my analysis of Chile’s experience, where unregulated extraction led to severe water shortages, serves as a cautionary tale for Bolivia. Through the lens of Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT), I explored the assumption that environmental issues can be solved through technological and regulatory innovation. However, drawing from Actor-Network Theory (ANT), I also found that this assumption neglects the social and political networks that shape environmental governance. Overall, my research shows that sustainability cannot be achieved without inclusion, and that mining practices, even in the name of clean energy, must be critically examined for their social consequences.
While looking back on my progress throughout the year, I am pleased with what I accomplished across both research projects. For my technical capstone, I would have liked to have built a preliminary physical prototype, but the design and testing phase gave me invaluable experience in engineering design, teamwork, and technical analysis. I learned not only how to apply tools like ANSYS and SolidWorks, but also how to critically assess tradeoffs between efficiency, weight, and performance. In my STS research, I would have liked greater access to government documents and firsthand accounts regarding Bolivia’s political response to lithium extraction. Despite those challenges, I developed a much deeper understanding of the social dimensions of energy transitions and the importance of including marginalized voices in climate solutions. I believe both projects were fruitful in different ways. For future researchers building on these projects, I recommend that technical teams pursue fabrication and flight testing of the solar-powered aircraft to assess its real-world capabilities. There is also room to explore solar panel integration and autonomous flight algorithms. For STS researchers, I recommend investigating more government reports on the issue. All in all, this year has been a unforgettable experience that has demonstrated the importance of approaching climate challenges from both technical and social perspectives.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Technical Advisor: Aldo Gargiulo

STS Advisor: Kent Wayland

Technical Team Members: Miles Beams, Michael Chou, Larry Egalla, Graham Guerette, Declan Long, Nathan Ong, Christopher Recupero, James Richard, Defne Savas, Adam Snyder, Muhammad Vasal