Abstract:
Around the world, all sectors of industry are strategizing on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate their effects on global warming. The aviation sector has a broad aim to curb a diverse range of atmosphere-altering emissions from aircraft including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter and contrails. The industry was the first global transportation sector to commit to reducing its climate impact back in 2008, and has committed in 2021 to achieve net zero by 2050 through a “basket of measures” to reduce CO2 emissions, including:
- Improving the fuel efficiency of engines and aircraft
- Improving operational efficiency, such as with better air traffic management
- Using sustainable aviation fuels to reduce net CO2 emissions
- Offsetting any residual CO2 and driving net CO2 to zero
One of the key technologies the industry is working on to improve the fuel efficiency of engines and aircraft is electrification, with full electric concepts in development for small aircraft, and hybrid electric concepts in early stage development for regional and larger aircraft. The maturation of electric propulsion architectures depends on the development progress of key constituent technologies, including rotating electrical machines, power electronics, energy storage, and protection and distribution systems, with both near-term targets and longer-term technologies that promise even further impact.
Bio:
Juan is the Sr. Vice President of Aerospace Technology in Technology & Global Engineering. In this role he works closely with the RTX businesses to shape the technology vision and strategy for the Company’s commercial offerings, and to drive the identification and use of technology synergies and best practices across RTX.
Prior to this role, Juan was the Vice President of Advanced Technology and Engineering Effectiveness at Collins Aerospace, leading a team of 2800 engineers across the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland and India. He shaped the composition and drove the integration of this team after the integration of Rockwell Collins and United Technologies Aerospace Systems in late 2018. In this role he worked closely with the engineering teams in Collins’ six business units to shape advanced technology planning and investment, drive the vitality of the Global Engineering Center teams, streamline engineering supplier planning, and promote continuous improvement throughout Collins’ businesses.
Prior to joining United Technologies, Juan was with the General Electric Company, where he served for 18 years in roles of increasing responsibility from his start at the Global Research Center in 2000. Juan’s last role with GE prior to joining Collins Aerospace was as the Chief Technology Officer for GE’s Grid Solutions business, a joint venture between GE and Alstom, serving the electrical transmission and distribution industry with a complete portfolio of high voltage equipment, energy management, controls and protection systems. In this role, he drove business technology strategy and new product development across seven diverse industry segments, leading a global team of 3,600 engineers with operations in over 18 countries around the world.
Juan is an avid Boilermaker through and through, with Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He lives with his wife Erika, his son Carlos and his daughter Josephine in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
