Event

Distinguished Colloquium in Electrical and Computer Engineering 
Hosted by Booz Allen Hamilton

"Flying Cars--Challenges and Propulsion Strategies"

Professor Kaushik Rajashekara
University of Texas at Dallas

Abstract:

The technology and interest in the flying cars is as old as airplanes and automobiles. However with the rapid advancement and commercialization of airplanes and automobiles, and with many technical challenges associated with flying cars, the interest in flying cars declined.  In recent years, with the advances in technology of engines, electric motors, power converters, and communications, there is an increasing interest in flying vehicles and more electrification of these vehicles.  Several companies are already developing these vehicles with the intent of commercialization.  In this presentation, the history of flying cars including some of the on-going developments will be presented.  The technical challenges, particularly related to lift and propulsion, and the problems related to making it a wide scale adoption will be discussed.  The challenges, requirements of developing a hybrid or a pure electric flying car, and propulsion strategies for operating like an automobile, airplane with vertical take-off and landing will also be presented.

Biography:

Kaushik Rajashekara obtained his PhD (1984) degree in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science.  In 1989, he joined Delphi division of General Motors Corporation in Indianapolis, IN, USA as a staff project engineer.  In Delphi and General Motors, he held various lead technical and managerial positions, and was the chief scientist for developing electric machines, controllers, and power electronics systems for electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicle systems.  In 2006, he joined Rolls-Royce Corporation as a Chief Technologist for More Electric Aircraft architectures and power conversion/control technologies for gas turbines in aero, marine, defense, and energy applications.  Since August 2012, he is a Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair in Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas. He also holds honorary Qiushi Chair Professor in Zhejiang University, China.

Prof. Rajashekara has published more than 140 papers in international journals and conferences, and has over 40 patents. He has given more than 100 invited presentations in international conferences and universities.  He has co-authored one IEEE Press book on sensorless control of ac motor drives and contributed individual chapters to six published books.

Prof. Rajashekara was elected as Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for contributions to electric power conversion systems in transportation. He was also elected as Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.  He is the recepient of the IEEE Richard Harold Kaufmann award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of electrical systems in transportation; IEEE Industry Applications Society Outstanding Achievement Award, and IEEE IAS Gerald Kliman award (2006) for contributions to the advancement of power conversion technologies through innovations and their applications to industry.  He is a Fellow of IEEE and a Fellow of SAE International.