Hybrid jet propulsion technology could redefine aviation
Written by Charlie Reed, for the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium
Company: Minco Technologies
Founder: Dr. Rory Roberts, Jon Yarbrough Endowed Professor (inaugural)
Research home: Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | Propulsion, Power
and Thermal Systems Lab
While most next-generation aircraft rely on heavy batteries, Dr. Rory Roberts is rethinking jet propulsion itself at Tennessee Tech University. He and his students are developing a hybrid jet engine designed to cut fuel use in half by merging turbine power, electric drive, and fuel-cell energy into one system.
“It’s high-risk, high-reward,” Roberts said. “If the data match what our models predict, it changes everything about how we power flight.”
His research has already produced four recent patents through Tech and several more through his company, Minco Technologies. TTAC and the University are helping Roberts expand his lab for full-system testing and guide Minco’s next phase of commercialization.
Meanwhile, his partnerships with NASA, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Army and Air Force are growing just as fast as his ability to turn his engineering mindset into a business opportunity.
“Learning to give an elevator pitch was new territory. But after nearly two years of Launch Tennessee events and pitch competitions, I talk about the impact, not just the equations,” he said. “It completely changed how I communicate the value of what we’re building, even in my lectures.”
This story was made possible with support from TTAC and Launch Tennessee.