Transportation Energy Conversion

Hyper Tech Research Inc., aims to design and demonstrate a multi-MW, high-efficiency, and high-power density integrated electric propulsion motor, drive, and thermal management system that meets the performance requirements of future hybrid electric, single-aisle passenger aircraft.

General Electric Global Research will develop a 2 MW fully integrated all-electric aircraft powertrain and demonstrate a 350-kW lab-scale prototype to enable zero carbon emission narrow-body commercial aircraft with all-electric propulsion.

Wright Electric will design a high-efficiency and torque-dense electric powertrain that combines innovations in integrated cooling, power electronics, and rotor design. Co-developing these critical elements will enable Wright to achieve the target efficiency and weight metric and lead to a scalable solution. The design will create a high-performance motor without sacrificing safety or the use of existing manufacturing techniques. The team plans to use an aggressive in-slot cooling strategy coupled with a high-frequency inverter whose efficiency may exceed 99.5%.

Marquette University and its partners are developing the next generation of electric drivetrains for aerospace propulsion. The proposed system consists of a high-power density motor enabled by (1) an additively manufactured winding and heat pipe based thermal management scheme, (2) a modular power electronics topology, and (3) tight system integration and shared thermal management between the motor and power electronics to meet or exceed system-level targets.

Advanced Magnet Lab (AML) seeks to develop high-power density permanent magnet motors. When coupled to an integrated SiC (silicon carbide) drive, these motors will enable an overall specific power beyond 12 kW/kg. The proposed concept relies on (1) the tight integration of a high-power density dual-rotor permanent magnet rotor based on "continuous flux directed" magnets (PM-360TM) currently under development at AML, (2) high-power density SiC power converters, and (3) a shared closed-loop cooling system rejecting the heat in the propulsion ducted fan air stream.

Texas A&M will focus on the design, fabrication, and testing of a lightweight and ultra-efficient electric powertrain for aircraft propulsion to reduce the energy costs and emissions of aviation.

Honeywell Aerospace and the University of Maryland propose to develop a novel high-voltage 500 kW advanced electric propulsion system (AEPS) with a high efficiency and a high-power density. The system will provide direct drive to the propulsive device without using a torque amplifier for low weight, cost, and volume, and high reliability. The major components, the electric rotating machine (motor) and the motor drive (power and control electronics), will be heavily integrated for better performance, sharing a common chassis and cooling system.

Celadyne Technologies will develop an innovative elevated temperature proton conducting ionomer material. The team improves upon existing technology relying on acid-base chemistry in favor of an approach driven by defect chemistry and interfacial nanoionic interactions. The technology could improve efficiency in fuel cells and electrolyzers and reduce CO2 emissions.