The aim of LIFT is to develop innovative, lightweight, multifunctional solutions for the inactive parts of a MW-class generator to be used within future hybrid-electric aircraft architectures. The generator system will be of a high power (>1MW), high speed (>10,000rpm) and will achieve low overall mass (i.e. >25 kW/kg) through the optimized use of high-strength, light materials, combined with the exploitation of the properties of such materials for improved thermal management. As presented within this section, from the preliminary analysis on an existing 20kW/kg generator using conventional materials, it is foreseen that with the light-weighting innovations proposed herewith the overall power density of the generator could improve by around 50% to 30kW/kg, exceeding the set target of 25kW/kg. More importantly, through the demonstrated results and achievements within this project, the case for the next generation cleaner hybrid-electric and electric aircraft will become increasingly stronger and accelerate the wider technology realization.

The principal investigator of the project was Prof Chris Gerada at the University of Nottingham.  Dr Tao Liu is one of the co-investigators , focusing on the innovation for lightweight and multifunctional  materials .