01 / 06  /  Founder

Project ADAM

A drop-in hybrid microturbine that makes jet thrust and 6 kW of electrical power from one unit.

32 kg
Max thrust
6 kW
Continuous electrical power
4.2 kg
System weight
43×
Energy density vs. LiPo

Overview

Founder & Project Lead
April 2025 to present

ADAM is a hybrid microturbine powerplant I invented and built at Embry-Riddle. A generating motor is mounted directly on the shaft of a running turbine, so a single unit produces jet thrust and continuous electrical power at the same time.

It is designed as a drop-in system: connect a fuel line, the main power bus, and a throttle command. It runs on Jet A or kerosene, actively cools its own generator and ESC, and replaces the battery pack that limits small unmanned aircraft today.

I own the system architecture, the ECU and data acquisition design, and integration testing, and I lead a cross-disciplinary team of seven across propulsion, structures, avionics, and firmware.

Visit projectadam.tech Powerplant details
The team on test day
The team on test day
Powerplant layout
Powerplant layout
Built generator section
Built generator section
The built powerplant
The built powerplant
Early test stand
Early test stand
Powerplant render, side view
Powerplant render, side view
Generator system
Generator system

Highlights

  • Electric VTOL, jet-speed cruise, and payload power from one powerplant
  • Standalone unit: needs only fuel and a connection to the main power bus
  • Variable electrical output across a wide RPM range
  • Built from off-the-shelf components
  • Best Poster Award 2026, Embry-Riddle
Next projectProject LILITH