Ralf Keuter

Who are you and what is your research topic?
My name is Ralf Keuter. I am a PhD student at the Institute for Drive Systems and Power Electronics at Leibniz Universität Hannover. My research area is electric motors for commercial aircraft.

Which research question are you working on?
My research question deals with the design of future electric motors for aircraft. The aim is to develop them in line with requirements. One of the main goals is to increase the power density while increasing energy efficiency. Here I do research in close cooperation with colleagues from power electronics and cooling, because ultimately the system weight counts and not only the weight of individual components.

What inspires you about your research?
I draw great enthusiasm and motivation from the opportunity to actively participate in a better and greener future. In addition, no state-of-the-art has been clearly defined in this research area yet. Therefore  I have the opportunity in this project to research how the motors of the future could look like in the area of ​​"electrical propulsion".

Why is your topic relevant for future aviation?
One can argue about the relevance of the topic. Whether the engine is a little lighter or heavier will be relatively negligible compared to the weight of the power supply. The fact is, however, that without sophisticated and safe engines, the dream of electric aircraft will not be possible in the future.

What is special about participating in the interdisciplinary research network SE²A?
In a world where technical problems are becoming more and more complex, it is increasingly important to look beyond one's own nose in order to find innovative solutions. Therein, the SE²A research association offers great opportunities to exchange ideas with colleagues from a wide range of research fields, so that you can place your own research into a broader context.