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Designing a Heavy Lift Drone from the Ground Up: PyroDelta Energy on this Episode of the Drone Radio Show!

July 28, 2026 by Miriam McNabb Leave a Comment

In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, Michael Abdelmaseh talks to host Randy Goers about the engineering behind PyroDelta’s patented Capillary Casting process, why the company believes waste heat is one of the most overlooked energy sources in aviation, what it takes to compete in one of DARPA’s most demanding drone competitions, and where this technology could lead beyond drones.

Listen here:

Michael Abdelmaseh is Head Engineer at PyroDelta Energy.  Pyrodelta has spent nearly a decade cracking a problem that stumped the entire thermoelectric industry. The company’s patented Capillary Casting process produces solid-state thermoelectric generators that convert waste heat into clean, stable electricity across applications spanning AI data centers, combustion engines, agriculture, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

In February 2026, PyroDelta launched a Florida-based manufacturing facility producing custom-designed, defect-free thermoelectric crystals, directly addressing North American supply chain vulnerabilities from China. Most notably for the drone world, PyroDelta has entered the DARPA Lift Challenge — scheduled for August 2–9, 2026 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio competing for a share of $6.5 million in prize money.
Michael has led the engineering team that designed PyroDelta’s heavy-lift drone from the ground up.   For nearly a decade, Michael and his team have been developing a breakthrough thermoelectric technology that converts waste heat from combustion engines into usable electrical power.
PyroDelta Energy (https://pyrodelta.com)
Missed a recent episode?  Catch up here:
  • HYFIX CEO on Building U.S. Drone Technology: This Episode of the Drone Radio Show!
  • Versaterm on the Drone Radio Show! Next Level Integration of Drones into Public Safety
  • The Future of Security: Titan Protection on the Drone Radio Show!
Miriam McNabb

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

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Filed Under: Drone News, Drone News Feeds, Heavy Lift, News, Podcast Tagged With: alternative energy for drones, Aviation technology, Capillary Casting, clean energy, DARPA Lift Challenge, drone engineering, drone innovation, drone power systems, drone radio show, heavy lift drones, Michael Abdelmaseh, PyroDelta, PyroDelta drone technology, PyroDelta Energy, randy goers, solid-state power generation, supply chain security, thermoelectric generators, thermoelectric technology, U.S. drone manufacturing, UAV power, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, waste heat recovery, waste heat to electricity, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

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