🔋 Prof. Austin R.J. Downey, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of South Carolina, recently spoke at the 2026 Battery Safety Workshop in Delaware.
His presentation, “Economic Drivers of High-Energy Density Batteries in Electric Aviation and Their Safety Implications,” examined how electric aviation creates new demands for battery performance, safety, and real-world operations.
The talk highlighted how aircraft design, routing, charging, battery aging, payload, and safety are all connected. In electric aviation, batteries are not just an energy source — they are part of a larger systems challenge where economic decisions can directly shape safety considerations. ✈️⚡
Prof. Downey also shared work connected to USC battery research, including battery testing capabilities, realistic flight-like operating conditions, multi-physics models, and hardware-in-the-loop testbeds.