Advanced Concepts and Technologies for Electric Aircraft

This edited volume with expert contributions addresses the critical engineering challenges in aircraft electrification. It focuses on the power electronics, electric motors, insulation systems, and energy storage essential for achieving sustainable aviation and meeting global carbon reduction targets.

Throughout this book, expert chapter contributors provide comprehensive coverage of electric aircraft technologies, from propulsion system architectures to advanced power conversion solutions. Beginning with an overview of the aviation industry's decarbonisation journey, it examines hybrid-electric, fully electric, and hydrogen-powered alternatives across different market segments. Detailed technical discussions encompass power electronics fundamentals, including novel converter topologies such as zigzag transformer-based systems and switched-midpoint boost inverters. The book explores DC-DC converter technologies, high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor drives, and magnetic geared machines optimised for aerospace applications. Advanced topics include prognostics and health management systems for predictive maintenance, wide bandgap semiconductor technologies, and critical insulation challenges in high-voltage, high-altitude environments. Quality assurance protocols and testing methodologies for motor insulation systems under aerospace conditions are thoroughly examined. This in-depth approach enables readers to apply their knowledge to design fully electric aircraft, including their motor drives, control systems, energy management, and insulation.

This book is a vital resource for anyone researching the development of electric aircraft systems and sustainable aviation technologies. It is particularly useful for postgraduate students of electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, and power electronics and researchers and engineers in R&D departments in aircraft and propulsion systems manufacturers.

Akshay Kumar Rathore, an IEEE Fellow, is a Professor and Director of Power and Energy Systems research Area in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore. He obtained his PhD degree from the University of Victoria, BC, Canada and M.Tech. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India. He is a recipient of several prestigious awards, such as the IEEE IAS Andrew W Smith Outstanding Young Member Achievement Award, the Isao Takahashi Power Electronics Award, the IEEE David Irwin Early Career Award, the IEEE Bimal Bose Award for Industrial Electronics Applications in Energy Systems, the Nagamori Award, and the distinguished alumnus award (young achiever) from IIT (BHU) Varanasi, India. During his tenure at Concordia University in Canada, he was listed in the Provost Circle of Distinction in 2021.

Rathore has contributed significantly to the design of novel power electronic converter topologies and modulation strategies, publishing about 300 research articles including about 105 IEEE Transactions. He edited a book on advanced concepts and technologies for electric transportation, published by CRC Press in 2022. He has delivered above 200 invited talks, keynotes, and tutorials in several events across the globe. He is currently a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Power Electronics Society, Chair of the IEEE IAS Andrew W Smith Outstanding Young Member Achievement Award Committee, and serves on the committees for the IEEE Medal in Power Engineering, the IEEE Nikola Tesla Award, and the IEEE Fellow Committee. He has Chaired 3 technical committees in the IEEE, served on the IAS Executive board from 2017-2025 and IES AdCom from 2016-2017 and 2021-2026.