From 20 Twenties to Clean Aviation: Mentoring the Next Generation

Since winning the Aviation Week 20 Twenties award in 2018, Arthur Brown has been on a mission to make aviation cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable. From pioneering electroaerodynamic propulsion systems at MIT's Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment to cofounding AeroAfro—a community dedicated to supporting Black graduate students in aerospace—he has turned early recognition into lasting impact. 

Now, as he continues to push the boundaries of electric aircraft design and mentor the next generation of engineers, Arthur reflects on the pivotal moments, lessons learned, and the passion that keeps him flying forward.

Can you share more about your current role? What are your key responsibilities and focus areas?
My last role was as a postdoctoral associate with the MIT Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment (LAE). One of my projects was an extension of my doctoral research on electroaerodynamic (EAD) propulsion: a novel means of generating thrust using strong electric fields to ionize and accelerate air. EAD thrusters are much quieter than propellers due to the absence of moving parts; EAD-powered aircraft may therefore be useful in applications where silence is valuable. I also worked on Regional Air Mobility (RAM): proposed operations by small (≤9 seats) battery-electric airliners between regional airports across the U.S. I aimed to estimate the ground infrastructure (chargers, grid electricity, etc.) required to enable these operations.

My EAD research duties included: developing computational design optimization frameworks for EAD-powered aircraft; designing and fabricating prototypes of EAD thrusters and other systems; conducting static tests, wind-tunnel tests, and flight tests; recruiting, advising, and mentoring undergraduate student collaborators; and writing grant applications to obtain external funding. In my RAM research, I developed computational tools to predict electricity demand for recharging of battery-electric aircraft at airports. I also used external tools to size and estimate the cost of the requisite ground infrastructure, including wind turbines, solar panels, ground-based batteries, etc.

How did winning the 20 Twenties award impact your career? Were there any standout opportunities or pivotal moments that followed?

At the time I won the 20 Twenties award, my research project was in urban air mobility (UAM): an envisaged air taxi service using battery-electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft (eVTOLs). This led to an internship at Aurora Flight Sciences in 2018: I joined their eVTOL team, developing sizing and analysis models to support design trades for their electric air taxi. I was also invited to Lincoln Labs to give a lecture on my eVTOL research, and I made contacts there and in other places that served me well later in my career. Since then, I’ve continued to work on projects relating to battery-electric aircraft, including my EAD and RAM research (see above).

Many 20 Twenties winners are passionate about paying it forward. Have you had opportunities to mentor others or contribute to your community? What has that meant to you?

In 2018, I cofounded AeroAfro, a group of Black graduate students within MIT AeroAstro. In this capacity, my responsibilities included: advising Black prospective MIT graduate students on their applications and tips for success; organizing AeroAfro social events; and collaborating with AeroAstro leadership on departmental initiatives. Over the next five years, AeroAfro’s membership more than doubled, from eight to seventeen students. I personally mentored more than half of the seventeen prior to them deciding to join the department; I continue to do so today. You can read more about AeroAfro here, here, and here.

Have you ever recommended someone for the 20 Twenties award or encouraged emerging professionals to apply? What do you tell them about the experience?

Since winning the award in 2018, I personally mentored several colleagues about the 20 Twenties award. I advised them on their applications and spoke about my experience after winning it. Two of my mentees won the award in 2019 and 2020 respectively. 

Looking back, what's one skill or area of knowledge you wish you'd developed earlier in your career?

Historically in my career, I’ve chosen to pursue technical problems and opportunities about which I’m most passionate. I would have benefited from learning to also identify and pursue the most important problems; i.e., the ones that will have the greatest impact on society if solved.

What's next for you? Are there new areas of aerospace you're excited to explore or contribute to?

Today, I study electric aircraft propulsion systems as a means of making aviation environmentally sustainable; I continue to be excited by problems in this space. More generally, my interests are in the clean-sheet design and development of aircraft, with a focus on 1) developing technologies to enable novel aircraft, 2) quantifying and managing their effects on society including environmental impacts, and 3) creating design models, methods and tools. I strive to find ways to fly sustainably so that society can benefit from aviation without its negative impacts.

What keeps you passionate about working in aerospace, especially on challenging days?

Two things: the vision for what I’m trying to accomplish, and my student collaborators & mentees. I enjoy working on challenging technical problems with the potential to change the world for the better. The challenges of electric aircraft propulsion systems and their potential benefits to society continue to motivate me through difficult days. Also, I have a responsibility to the students I’ve mentored or worked with, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them thrive.

• Nominations for the 2027, 20 Twenties awards are now open.
• Learn more about Aviation Week's 20 Twenties Program.
• For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Anna Dariotis: [email protected] or visit the website: https://20twenties.aviationweek.com/sponsor/current-sponsors/
• Aviation Week's 20 Twenties Awards, in partnership with Accenture.