Speaker
Description
The aviation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by replacing jet engines with electric motor-driven propellers. However, the high power required of these motors is possible only by increasing the motor size and/or the current it carries. Larger size means more mass, which would reduce the plane’s range and payload capability. Higher current means more heat generated by resistive losses. This heat cannot exceed the system's cooling capability, so the current must be limited accordingly.
Cryogenic cooling could enable higher currents by reducing the electrical resistivity of the motors’ magnetic coils. At cryogenic temperatures, the motor coils could employ superconductors (SC) or non-SC materials, like aluminum, whose resistivity drops significantly with temperature. In either case, the reduced heat generation would allow higher currents, and hence higher power, without increasing motor mass or size. This could help make electric motors suitable for aircraft propulsion.
This talk presents the motivation and technology status of cryogenic motors for aircraft propulsion. Ongoing research projects are discussed, and key research needs are identified.
