Hinetics

Hinetics, housed in the University of Illinois’ Research Park, is the lead entity of an OPEN 2021 award supporting the development of the world’s highest power density electric machine that will enable electrified aircraft propulsion systems up to 10 MW and larger. While it is a superconducting machine, the aircraft will not require an auxiliary cryogenic system and will be able to deliver an ultra-high power density of > 40 kW/kg (> 127 Nm/kg). Program Director Dr. Peter de Bock and members of the ARPA-E team visited the company in Urbana, IL last month to discuss the technical details of their project. #ARPAEontheRoad

Hinetics, housed in the University of Illinois’ Research Park, is the lead entity of an OPEN 2021 award supporting the development of the world’s highest power density electric machine that will enable electrified aircraft propulsion systems up to 10 MW and larger. While it is a superconducting machine, the aircraft will not require an auxiliary cryogenic system and will be able to deliver an ultra-high power density of > 40 kW/kg (> 127 Nm/kg). Program Director Dr. Peter de Bock and members of the ARPA-E team visited the company in Urbana, IL last month to discuss the technical details of their project. #ARPAEontheRoad

Last week, Hinetics enjoyed a visit from our ARPA-E Program Director, Dr. Peter De Bock, and Technology to Market Advisors, Drs. Xin Wu and Vivien L.. Hinetics PI, Thanatheepan (Theepan) Balachandran, and the team had the opportunity to update the ARPA-E team on the development of our CRUISE 10 MW direct-drive partially superconducting motor. In Phase I of the project, we have successfully de-risked multiple technical fronts, including validation of cryocooler performance while rotating at 125% of nominal speed in addition to MIL-STD-810 shock & vibe testing (with the aid of our partners at West Coast Solutions), full-scale armature module manufacturing, spoked rotor manufacturing and tensile stress testing, and low loss cryogenic rotor development. Dr. Balachandran is seen below showcasing a prototype full-scale armature module used for thermal testing at full electrical loading. The slotless armature module was constructed using our patent pending magnetics, insulation, and cooling architecture (MAGICA) developed with the support of NASA Glenn Research Center and our technical monitors Andrew Provenza and Thomas Tallerico. The team also demonstrated two full-scale mock rotors and accompanying experimental setups for separate structural and cryogenic thermal management validation. We thank the ARPA-E team for visiting us in Champaign and look forward to our continued collaboration in the development of the lightest weight, most efficient electric propulsion drive train for future electrified commercial aviation.

PROPEL-1K Dr. Halle Cheeseman and ASCEND electric motors can enable electric regional flight one day. Great article, thank you for the kind words NAE Fellow Kiruba S. Haran Hinetics

Hinetics founder and Chief Technology Officer - Kiruba S. Haran - has been honored with an election to the National Academy of Engineering! Membership in the NAE is amongst the highest honors an engineer in the U.S. can receive and is a testament to Kiruba’s contributions to the advancement of high power density, high-efficiency electrical machinery, and superconducting technology applications. The NAE press release notes Kiruba’s work on both cryogenic and non-cryogenic innovations in electric aircraft propulsion, in a nod to Hinetics’ technology development approach with the support of NASA Glenn Research Center, ARPA-E, AFWERX, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, amongst many others. As one of just over 50 University of Illinois affiliates, past and present, to receive this honor, Kiruba’s name will be enshrined next to some of the greatest inventors in history - in the likes of Dr. John Bardeen (2x Nobel laureate; transistors & theory of superconductivity) and Dr. Nick Holonyak Jr. (inventor of the LED). As an active member of the NAE, Kiruba will have the responsibility of providing advice on matters involving his area of expertise when called upon by the government. Under Kiruba’s direction, we will change the aviation landscape and usher in a new era of clean, efficient, economical, and electrified commercial flight. Congratulations from the team, Professor Haran!