IEEE PELS Honors Lyle Professor for Electric Motor Breakthrough
Dr. Krishnamurthy, Lyle Professor of Electrical Engineering, was recognized by the IEEE Power Electronics Society for lifetime contributions to advancing sustainability in electrified transportation.
Dr. Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Vin and Caren Prothro Department Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was recently awarded the prestigious Vehicle and Transportation Systems Achievement Award by the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS), honoring his lifetime commitment to advancing sustainable alternatives for rare-earth-metal electric motor systems.
As a transportation engineer and professor of Electrical Engineering at 青涩直播 Lyle, Dr. Krishnamurthy’s groundbreaking research centers on reimagining electric motor design to increase sustainability without sacrificing efficiency.
Electrified transportation often relies on rare earth elements, like neodymium, to power its motors, driving small but extraordinarily strong magnets in the vehicle’s interior. From mining to import, the process of acquiring these resources – which exist in very limited natural quantities – raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of electrified transportation as an eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered vehicles.
“The process of supplying rare earth metals releases harmful, toxic chemicals into the environment,” Dr. Krishnamurthy explained. “And with most of our materials coming from overseas, we have to be prepared for the possibility that countries like China may stop supplying the rare-earth elements needed to make these magnets.”
As the race continues to refine electrified alternatives as climate concerns rise, Dr. Krishnamurthy set out to address a crucial industry question: how can we engineer the future of transportation to be as safe, efficient, and sustainable as possible?
“To encourage the switch from rare-earth to rare-earth-free motors, we cannot sacrifice efficiency,” Dr. Krishnamurthy outlined. “We saw an opportunity to build better motors.”
For the past several decades, his lab has advanced the design and commercialization of rare-earth-free electric motors for electrified transportation that rival rare-earth counterparts. By employing high-rotor pole Switched Reluctance Machines (SRMs), Dr. Krishnamurthy has redefined what is possible in electric motor architecture – achieving high torque density, robust acoustic performance, and fault-tolerant operation without the environmental and geopolitical burden of rare-earth materials.
Through the development of a first-of-its-kind multi-physics co-design framework for motor design, Dr. Krishnamurthy’s research integrates electromagnetic, thermal, and acoustic modeling under real-world drive conditions. Supported by the National Science Foundation, this modeling backbone has made real-time digital twins and inverse motor design possible – critical capabilities for the next generation of electrified vehicles.
With more than 25 US patents, Dr. Krishnamurthy’s rare-earth-free technologies have been deployed across commercial traction platforms, building systems, and agricultural vehicles – offering not just an alternative to conventional electric machines, but a resilient and sustainable solution for the global energy transition.
“Sustainable transportation is not just about reducing emissions – it’s about building systems that are materially sustainable, economically viable, and globally accessible,” Dr. Krishnamurthy detailed.
The prestigious Vehicle and Transportation Systems Achievement Award, granted by the PELS, recognizes Dr. Krishnamurthy’s lifetime contributions to advancing sustainable design in electrified transportation, placing him among a short and distinguished list of innovators across industry and academia.
“This award reflects the collective work of many collaborators and students,” Dr. Krishnamurthy expressed. “I am deeply honored by the recognition.”
As the world’s largest and most influential consortium of innovators for the advancement of technology, recognition by the IEEE positions Lyle among the institutions driving the future of engineering. This honor carries far-reaching implications for the rapidly evolving electric vehicle industry and the broader Lyle community.
The Lyle School of Engineering is proud to recognize Dr. Krishnamurthy’s visionary contributions and looks forward to supporting his continued leadership in building a more sustainable, electrified future.
“Engineering is only as good as the impact we can have.” Dr. Krishnamurthy explained. “Awards like this give me confidence that we are headed in the right direction.”
About the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering
青涩直播’s Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, 青涩直播 Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.
About 青涩直播
青涩直播 is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. 青涩直播’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, community and the world.