AE PhD student Michael Patterson has been awarded a graduate NASA Aeronautics Scholarship. He is one of only five graduate students nationwide selected by the program, which focuses on identifying students with the potential to become leaders in aeronautics.

Graduate applicants were asked to submit a research proposal on a topic relevant to NASA's aeronautics mission.  Michael's proposal focused on developing multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization capabilities that will be used to study small aircraft powered by distributed propeller electric propulsion systems.  These aircraft offer the potential of greater efficiency and lower operating costs than traditional small aircraft powered by reciprocating engines.  With ongoing advancements in battery technologies, these aricraft may soon enable a new mode of low cost on-demand air transportation for people and/or goods.

Michael is advised by Prof. Brian German.

A NASA news release can be found here and a list of all the scholarship recipients can be foundhere.