1. NASAfacts
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Disclaimer: This is a rendition of a NASA fact sheet and not an official NASA publication.Prepared by Andrew Oberlander

2. NASA Facts
Electric Aircraft
In addition to systems analysis, the MARTI team also used
hardware prototypes to better understand the electric drivetrain
components of the Hyperloop. The team prototyped a light-weight
compressor and axial flux motors that could also be used for
electric aircraft. These components were fully manufactured using
additive manufacturing techniques utilizing composite materials.
NASA leadership identified promise in this new technology and is
continuing reserach into this field.
Axial-Flux Motor
The Axial-Flux motor is a brushless DC permanent magnet motor.
This version utilized a spacial configuration of magnets called a
“halbach array”. The magnets are arrnaged so that their field
effectievly doubles on one side and cancels out on the other,
providing an increase in efficiencly for the motor. It is also possible
to stack these motors in the axial direction and have a smaller
frontal area making them ideal for aerospace. The team also
discovered that this motor type can be integrated into the hub of
turbomachinery, which served as the basis for the new electric
compressor concept.
Electric Compressor
The electric compressor utilizes the axial motor concept to drive its
rotation. The motor is integrated into the hub of the compressor
and additionall motors can be added depending on the desired
number of stages.
Additive Manufacturing
These prototypes were created in the iLAB at NASA’s Glenn
Research Center using additive manufacturing technology.
Composite materials like carbon fiber and high strength, high
temperature fiberglass were used to enable real life testing of the
components. Turnaround time was significantly reduced using
these methods enabling NASA researchers to quickly test their
hypotheses and concepts.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Glenn Research Center
21000 Brook Park Rd, Cleveland Ohio 444135
www.nasa.gov https://academy.grc.nasa.govLearn more at the MARTI website:
Disclaimer: This is a rendition of a NASA fact sheet and not an official NASA publication.Prepared by Andrew Oberlander