Arthur Brown
Research Assistant

BACKGROUND
My name is Arthur Brown. I come from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science (Aerospace Engineering major) from the University of Toronto in 2016. For my Master’s thesis project here at MIT, I developed a sizing and optimization tool for on-demand, VTOL electric aircraft. In my spare time, I am an avid fisherman; I also enjoy long-distance running, basketball, military history, karaoke, and chess.
RESEARCH
I work on electro-aerodynamic propulsion: a novel way of generating thrust using electricity. Instead of using propellers, an electro-aerodynamically powered aircraft uses high voltages to ionize and accelerate the air around it, generating thrust. The proposed system promises zero fossil-fuel emissions. It also has no moving parts, which (in theory) translates to reduced noise and maintenance costs. I also do research on Urban Air Mobility (UAM): an envisaged air taxi service, using electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft with 1-4 seats for trips of approximately 100 km (62 miles) or less. In theory, UAM offers several advantages over existing transport solutions, including: reduced travel times, lower costs, and reduced environmental impact (in terms of noise, climate, and air quality).
EXPERTISE
- Aircraft design
- Aerodynamics
- Multidisciplinary optimization