MIT engineers are making significant strides in the electrification of commercial aircraft with the creation of a compact, lightweight, and powerful 1-megawatt electric motor. This groundbreaking development opens up possibilities for reducing carbon emissions in aviation. After successfully designing and testing individual components, the motor will undergo full testing in the upcoming fall. If successful, this technology could pave the way for larger passenger planes to embrace electrification, thus contributing to a greener future for aviation.
While smaller all-electric planes have been introduced, larger commercial airliners require megawatt-scale motors to achieve electrification. These motors would be employed in hybrid or turbo-electric propulsion systems, where an electric machine is coupled with a gas turbine aero-engine.
The MIT team is at the forefront of developing a 1-megawatt motor that could serve as a crucial milestone in electrifying larger aircraft. They have designed and tested the major components of the motor and demonstrated through detailed computations that the integrated components can generate one megawatt of power, while maintaining a competitive weight and size compared to current small aero-engines.
For all-electric applications, the motor could be paired with a power source like a battery or a fuel cell, efficiently converting electrical energy into mechanical work to drive a plane’s propellers. Alternatively, it could be combined with a traditional turbofan jet engine to create a hybrid propulsion system, enabling electric propulsion during specific flight phases.
The MIT megawatt motor incorporates several key enabling technologies, including a high-speed permanent magnet outer rotor, a low-loss tooth-and-slot stator, an advanced heat exchanger, and integrated high-performance power electronics.
Zoltan Spakovszky, the T. Wilson Professor in Aeronautics and the Director of the Gas Turbine Laboratory (GTL) at MIT, who leads the project, emphasizes the significance of megawatt-class motors in greening aviation, regardless of the energy carrier used, such as batteries, hydrogen, ammonia, or sustainable aviation fuel.
To address the urgent need to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a paradigm shift is required in aircraft design, fuel systems, materials, and electrified propulsion. Multiple aerospace companies are actively exploring electrified propulsion systems and the development of powerful yet lightweight megawatt-scale electric machines capable of propelling passenger aircraft.
The MIT electric motor and power electronics are designed to be compact, weighing less than an adult passenger’s checked suitcase. Its main components include a high-speed rotor with an array of magnets, a low-loss stator with intricate copper windings, an advanced heat exchanger for cooling, and a distributed power electronics system comprising custom-built circuit boards.
The MIT team has conducted risk mitigation experiments to validate the operation and performance of each component under demanding conditions. The next step involves assembling the fully functional electric motor for comprehensive testing in the fall.
Experts in the field, such as Phillip Ansell, director of the Center for Sustainable Aviation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, applaud the MIT team’s design for its combination of conventional and cutting-edge methods, offering both robustness and efficiency for future aircraft needs.
Once the motor is successfully demonstrated as a complete system, MIT envisions its potential use in regional aircraft as well as in hybrid-electric propulsion systems alongside conventional jet engines. Multiple one-megawatt motors could be deployed on future aircraft configurations, powering distributed fans along the wings. Furthermore, the foundation of this one-megawatt electrical machine design could be scaled up to multi-megawatt motors, catering to larger passenger planes.
Zoltan Spakovszky expresses optimism about the trajectory of their work, emphasizing MIT’s commitment to tackling the 2050 climate challenge by exploring new areas and leveraging the institution’s broad range of technologies and expertise.
References:
- “Design and Manufacturing of a High-Specific-Power Electric Machine for Aircraft Propulsion”
- “A Megawatt-Class Electrical Machine Technology Demonstrator for Turbo-Electric Propulsion”
- “Design and Optimization of an Inverter for a One-Megawatt Ultra-Light Motor Drive”
- “Novel Channel-type Heat Exchanger for a Megawatt-Class Integrated Motor Drive Technology Demonstrator”
- “High-Speed Rotor System for a Megawatt-Class Integrated Motor Drive Technology Demonstrator”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about aviation electrification
What is the purpose of the MIT electric motor development?
The purpose of the MIT electric motor development is to create a compact, lightweight, and powerful 1-megawatt electric motor that can be used to electrify commercial aircraft, thereby reducing carbon emissions in aviation.
How does the electric motor contribute to aviation electrification?
The electric motor serves as a key component in the electrification of larger aircraft, such as commercial airliners. It can be paired with a power source, such as batteries or fuel cells, to convert electrical energy into mechanical work to power the aircraft’s propellers. Additionally, it can be integrated with traditional jet engines to enable hybrid-electric propulsion systems.
What are the advantages of using megawatt-scale motors in aviation?
Megawatt-scale motors are necessary for electrifying larger, heavier jets like commercial airliners. By incorporating these motors into hybrid or turbo-electric propulsion systems, aviation can significantly reduce its carbon footprint. These motors offer the power and efficiency required to drive passenger aircraft while minimizing environmental impact.
How does the MIT electric motor address the challenges of weight and size in aircraft applications?
The MIT electric motor is designed to be compact and lightweight, approximately the size of a checked suitcase and weighing less than an adult passenger. Through extensive design optimization and co-optimization of components, the motor achieves a high power-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for aircraft applications where weight is a critical factor.
What are the potential applications of the MIT electric motor?
Once fully developed and tested, the MIT electric motor can power regional aircraft and serve as a companion to conventional jet engines in hybrid-electric propulsion systems. It also has the potential to be scaled up to multi-megawatt motors for larger passenger planes. Additionally, the motor’s design can be adapted to power multiple fans distributed along the wings of future aircraft configurations.
More about aviation electrification
- MIT Gas Turbine Laboratory
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- MIT Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- Center for Sustainable Aviation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
5 comments
MIT’s engineers r doin some seriously cool stuff with their electric motor. if it can help electrify larger planes, we cud see a greener future in aviation. im rootin 4 MIT’s electric motor project to take off!
MIT’s 1MW electric motor projct is super interesting! if it can reduce carbon emissions in commercial planes, that wud b awesome. imagine a future where air travel is cleaner & more sustainable. fingers crossed 4 MIT’s success!
wow! mit engineers developin a compact 1MW electric motor 4 aviashn electrifikashn. its gr8 2 c them workin on reducin carbon emissions in airplanes. hope it works out!
MIT’s electrification project sounds amazin! they makin a lightweight, powerful 1MW motor 2 electrify commercial planes. it cud b a game-changer 4 reducin carbon footprints. im excited 2 c d results!
Can’t believe MIT engineers r takin on aviation electrification! they r creatin a compact electric motor 4 planes. if it works, it cud help us fly cleaner & greener. kudos 2 MIT 4 their innovative work!