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Ceramic Coatings for Electric Aircraft Propulsion

Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 3)

Description

Megawatt (MW) scale electric machines are necessary for the development of electric aircraft propulsion, but the power levels required will create tens of kilowatts of waste heat in the stator. To mitigate against this, one possible solution is to replace the current polymer coating with a conformal ceramic coating produced by dip-coating.

Benefits

A mechanically robust ceramic coating for a stator with the necessary thermal conductivity and electrical degradation resistance would help to enable megawatt hybrid and all-electric aircraft which is key to the areas of ‘Aero Propulsion’ and ‘Advanced Materials and Structural Concepts’

Details

Technology areaPropulsion Systems > Electric Space Propulsion
ProgramCenter Innovation Fund: GRC CIF (GRC CIF)
Lead organizationGlenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Start date2023-10-01
End date2024-09-30

Project contacts

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How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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