U of A Researchers Make R&D Magazine's Top 100 for Fourth Time

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Test flight of Ampaire electrified aircraft with 250 kW all-silicon carbide motor drive.

For the fourth time, U of A Power Group researchers have been recognized by R&D 100 Awards for their innovations. This year's recognition highlighted the 250 kiloWatt all-silicon carbide motordrive for hybrid electric aircraft.

Working with Ampaire Inc., an electrified aircraft company in southern California, U of A Power Group researchers designed the motor drive to power the electrical engine in a hybrid electric aircraft, focusing on electrical, mechanical, controls and communications. Those researchers included Alan Mantooth, Distinguished Professor of electrical engineering and computer science and executive director of the U of A Power Group; Yue Zhao, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science; David Huitink, associate professor of mechanical engineering; and Chris Farnell, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

Researchers led by Nenad Miljkovic, professor of mechanical science and engineering at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, worked on the thermal-management design of the motor drive.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy/Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy CIRCUITS program, or ARPA-E, the electric motor drive was highlighted when the hybrid aircraft was displayed at the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Denver in 2022. 

Wolfspeed, a leader in the worldwide adoption of silicon carbide and GaN technologies, contributed commercial power modules and integration expertise to the development of the electronic motor drive.

Ampaire provided the testbed during development and successfully piloted the test flight of the electric motor drive on Feb. 20. This electric motor drive has the potential to provide positive impacts in aeronautics in the near future.

The R&D 100 Awards, often referred to as "The Oscars of Innovation" and the "Nobel Prize of Engineering," is the only science and technology awards competition that recognizes new commercial products, technologies and materials for their technological significance that are available for sale or license. The awards program is in its 60th year. A black-tie event will be held this year at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, near San Diego, California, on Nov. 16.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.

About the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign: With our land-grant heritage as a foundation, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign pioneers innovative research that tackles global problems and expands the human experience. We are charged by our state to enhance the lives of citizens in Illinois, across the nation, and around the world through our leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development. Illinois is the lead institution of the POETS Center, which is focused on the integration of electrical and thermal power flows in tightly confined mobile environments. The goal of POETS is to increase power density in electrified mobility in three market segments: on highway, off highway, and aerospace. The center supports roughly 25 faculty and 50 to 60 graduate students and post-docs across four institutions — Stanford, University of Arkansas, University of Illinois and Howard University.

About Ampaire: Los Angeles-based Ampaire was formed in 2016 with a mission to become the world's most-trusted developer of practical, compelling electric aircraft. The company is upgrading existing passenger aircraft to hybrid electric power-the quickest, most capital efficient approach to making commercial electric air travel a reality with available technology. Ampaire has scored a series of industry firsts since the 2019 maiden flight of its Electric EEL technology testbed aircraft, including the longest flight for a hybrid-electric aircraft--1,135 statute miles en-route from Los Angeles to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the largest hybrid electric aircraft ever flown with the Eco Caravan test flight in November 2022. For more information about Ampaire, visit www.ampaire.com.

About Wolfspeed: Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) leads the market in the worldwide adoption of silicon carbide and GaN technologies. We provide industry-leading solutions for efficient energy consumption and a sustainable future. Wolfspeed's product families include silicon carbide materials, power devices and RF devices targeted for various applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, 5G, renewable energy and storage, and aerospace and defense. We unleash the power of possibilities through hard work, collaboration and a passion for innovation. Learn more at www.wolfspeed.com.

About ARPA-E: The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. ARPA-E empowers America's energy researchers with funding, technical assistance, and market readiness. ARPA-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to generate, store, and use energy. ARPA-E projects have the potential to radically improve U.S. economic prosperity, national security, and environmental well being.