Talks and shows

Engineering the skies: The rise of electric flight

Join an expert panel to discover the future of battery-powered flight, in collaboration with the Faraday Institution. 

Image of plane in the clouds
Pixabay

As the aviation industry enters the early stages of the energy transition, researchers are constantly developing renewable technologies to power travel in our skies. With alternative technologies such as battery energy storage, hydrogen, and synthetic aviation fuels all under development, the electric aircraft market is predicted to grow significantly over the next decade. But how? And how will these technologies change the way we travel in the air?

In the latest event in partnership with the Faraday Institution, we take a deep dive into the research, systems engineering, challenges, and potential solutions of deploying batteries in the skies. Join a panel of experts to learn how batteries fit into the technology mix for decarbonising aviation.

Event type

This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. 

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About the Speakers

Faraday Institution logo

Dame Helen Atkinson is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and joined Cranfield University as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing in September 2017. Since August 2024, Dame Helen is Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She was previously at the University of Leicester where she was Head of the Department of Engineering between 2012 and 2016. Dame Helen was the first woman President of the Engineering Professors’ Council in its fifty-year history and has also served as a Vice President and Trustee of the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2010 she won a national award as a Woman of Outstanding Achievement in Science, Engineering and Technology for ‘Leadership and Inspiration to Others’, and in 2022 received the President’s Medal, one of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s most prestigious awards.  

Jacqueline Castle joined the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) in June 2023 as Chief Technology Officer. Prior to joining the ATI, Jacqueline spent more than 25 years in the aerospace industry at Airbus. Most recently, she was the UK Chief Engineer for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, with responsibility for the wings, landing gear and fuel system. Prior to this she was UK Chief Engineer for the A380 aircraft. Jacqueline is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Aeronautical Society. She is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of the West of England and gained an MSc in Aerospace Design from the University of Bristol, where she is Aegis Professor of Aerospace technologies. 

Limhi Somerville is the Director of Engineering at Vertical Aerospace, a UK-based company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. His expertise spans electric propulsion, having previously led powertrain and battery systems development at Vertical. For the past five years, he has chaired the European electrification committee within EUROCAE WG-112, contributing to the development of industry-wide aerospace standards. Prior to Vertical, Limhi managed advanced cell development at Jaguar Land Rover, contributing to the Jaguar I-PACE and other electrification projects. Outside of engineering, he enjoys sports, super-sport motorcycles, and spending time with his wife and six sons. 

Lee Johnson received his PhD in physical chemistry and electrochemistry at the University of Nottingham. He then joined the research group of Prof Sir P.G. Bruce FRS at the University of Oxford, where he studied the lithium-oxygen battery. In 2017, he was awarded a Nottingham Research Fellowship, University of Nottingham, followed by an EPSRC Fellowship in 2018. In 2019 he was promoted to Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and then to Professor of Electrochemistry in 2024. His current research interests focus on understanding interfacial reactions, degradation, and charge transfer, in electrochemical energy devices. 

Timing

Doors to the theatre will open at 6.45pm and the talk will begin at 7.00pm.

Timing for the livestream

The livestream will go live at 6.55pm and the introduction will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions

Are you a patron of the Ri?

As a patron you are offered a number of complimentary tickets, please get in touch with your patron manager to discuss this.