9/8/2026 Jeremy A. Sykes, Edited by Megan Altmyer
Researchers at Illinois demonstrate a superconducting electric motor designed to advance zero-emissions propulsion for large commercial aircraft, bringing electric aviation one step closer to flight testing.
Written by Jeremy A. Sykes, Edited by Megan Altmyer
Researchers with the Center for High-Efficiency Electrical Technologies for Aircraft (CHEETA) have taken a step toward electric-powered commercial aviation, successfully demonstrating a cryogenic electric motor at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s POETS Research & Development Center (PRDC).
During the initial public demonstration in late July, the motor reached 1,500 revolutions per minute (RPM) while producing 30-50 kilowatts of power and a specific power of 25 kilowatts per kilogram. This test marked a significant milestone for the NASA-supported CHEETA program as researchers work toward developing electric propulsion systems capable of powering large commercial aircraft.
CHEETA Director Phillip Ansell, Deputy Director Kiruba Haran, and NASA Glenn Research Center Deputy Project Manager for Technology in University Innovation Andrew Provenza were on site for the demonstration, which was recorded and livestreamed from the PRDC.
The demonstration addressed one of aviation’s most significant challenges: developing propulsion systems that can deliver the power needed for large aircraft without the weight, emissions, and cost associated with conventional propulsion.
A new approach to electric aircraft propulsion
Electric aircraft propulsion presents the challenge that motors must produce substantial power without adding excessive weight. CHEETA’s approach uses superconducting materials to increase the amount of power that can be generated relative to the motor’s weight.
The motor’s rotor uses REBCO high-temperature superconducting tape, which must be cooled to approximately 223 degrees Celsius below zero to achieve superconductivity. An integrated Stirling cryocooler provides active cooling for the rotor, while liquid nitrogen cools the cryo-resistive stator. Together, these technologies enable the motor’s high power density.
Keeping the motor at these extremely low temperatures while preventing other components from getting too cold requires careful temperature management. During testing, much of the equipment surrounding the motor at the PRDC is dedicated to monitoring temperatures throughout the system.
CHEETA researchers also incorporated a device in the power drive train that expands and contracts gas, pushing the heat to where it is needed while keeping the semiconductor cold. Future versions could utilize liquid hydrogen as a high-energy-capacity, sustainable fuel source, with efficiencies up to 99.5%.
The demonstration was designed to test more than the motor, itself. Researchers needed to show that everything could work together.
“The larger goal was to demonstrate that an integrated system of the superconducting motor plus the hybrid superconducting-cryo-resistive cable, the power electronics, and overall controls all work well together in a seamless manner,” Haran said. “These are all ‘first-of-a-kind’ components, and there are always questions about what will happen when they are integrated together to connect and process high power.”
Influencing electric aviation
The demonstration is part of a broader CHEETA effort. Now in its eighth year, CHEETA brings together researchers from the U. of I. and partners across industry, government, and academia to develop technologies for electric aviation. The project seeks to “develop, mature, and design disruptive technologies for electric aviation.” Its work spans aero-structural-thermal design optimization, multi-domain aircraft system modeling, integrated aero-propulsive systems, cryogenic motor drives and cryo-cooled electronics, and aircraft sizing and performance.
The CHEETA team is developing technologies with large commercial aircraft in mind. Ansell has described the long-term goal as developing a zero-emissions aircraft capable of maintaining the performance characteristics of a Boeing 737-800, including cruise speed, passenger capacity, range, and airport compatibility.
“Working on CHEETA these past eight years has been the greatest privilege of my career,” Ansell said. I am quite proud of the impact that our team has made and the ways it has influenced the broader aeronautics industry. Our team has one more milestone in mind before we finalize the handoff outside of our campus ecosystem, as we aspire to bring these technologies to flight test. By partnering with NASA, the industry, and others, we believe our momentum in this program leaves us well poised to resolve the specific challenges imposed by the flight environment.”
That work is already continuing. Since the initial demonstration, the CHEETA motor has undergone further testing, with Hinetics Director of Engineering Thanatheepan Balachandran reporting that the team has operated the machine at speeds up to 2,400 RPM and torque up to 400 N-m, reaching some of the capabilities of the testbed.
The continued testing marks another step toward increasingly representative aircraft conditions.
“We still have work to do to mature the technology, including scaling up to higher power, leveraging the new FAA testbed that’s being installed at PRDC, and eventually heading toward a flight demo. Commercial adoption will require thorough testing for certification,” Haran said.
The demonstration was directly supported by collaborators from Ohio State University and Scintillating Solutions, Inc. A follow-up live test of the motor can be viewed here.
Illinois Grainger Engineering Affiliations
Phillip Ansell is an Illinois Grainger Engineering associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. He is an Allen Ives Ormsbee Faculty Scholar and Director of the Center for Sustainable Aviation.
Kiruba Sivasubramaniam Haran is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. He is the Grainger Chair and Director of the Center for Electric Machinery and Electromechanics.