Bio
Dr. Praveen Kumar has an extensive career spanning nearly three decades in the field of electric motor design, with a specialized focus on high-power density motors, electric vehicle (EV) drivetrains, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance the performance and reliability of these systems. Currently, Dr. Kumar serves as a Senior R&D Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where he is leading initiatives to integrate AI and ML in the design and diagnostics of electric drivetrains, contributing to advancements in sustainable transportation technologies.
Dr. Kumar’s research has made significant strides in developing innovative motor architectures that push the boundaries of efficiency, power density, and sustainability. His work on rare earth-free magnet motors is particularly noteworthy, addressing critical supply chain challenges and environmental concerns associated with traditional high-performance motors. By leveraging advanced AI techniques, Dr. Kumar has pioneered new motor designs that maintain high efficiency without relying on scarce and environmentally detrimental materials.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kumar has successfully managed and executed numerous high-impact projects funded by leading industry partners and government agencies. His work at IIT Guwahati, where he held various academic positions culminating in a professorship, was instrumental in establishing the e-Mobility Lab, a center of excellence dedicated to EV drivetrain research. Notable projects include the development of dual-rotor motors, AI-based motor health estimation, and innovative battery management systems, all of which have contributed to the wider adoption of e-mobility solutions in India and beyond.
In addition to his applied research, Dr. Kumar has made significant contributions to fundamental engineering principles, particularly in the optimization of motor designs and the application of machine learning for predictive maintenance and fault detection. His research has been recognized through several patents, numerous high-impact publications, and the successful mentorship of PhD students, many of whom have gone on to establish themselves as leaders in the field.
Dr. Kumar's vision for the future of electric mobility is centered around the integration of digital twin technologies, which combine AI and ML with real-time data to predict and prevent failures, thereby extending the operational life of EV systems. His current work at ORNL is focused on developing these advanced systems to achieve unprecedented reliability in heavy vehicles, such as Class 8 trucks, with the goal of reaching a million-mile operational life.
With a strong foundation in both academic and industrial research, Dr. Kumar continues to drive innovation in the field of electric mobility, ensuring that the next generation of EVs is not only more efficient but also more resilient and sustainable.
Professional Experience
Dr. Praveen Kumar is an accomplished researcher and engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in the field of electric motor design, electric vehicle (EV) drivetrains, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance these systems. He is currently a Senior R&D Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where he leads cutting-edge research in AI-driven diagnostics and digital twin technologies for electric motors and powertrain systems.
Dr. Kumar's career began in academia, where he has held various positions at prestigious institutions, including a professorship at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. There, he established the e-Mobility Lab, a center of excellence dedicated to EV drivetrain research, and led numerous industry-sponsored projects focusing on the development of high-efficiency motors and smart charging systems.
His professional journey also includes significant industry experience in Germany and the Netherlands, where he worked on the design and prototyping of high-temperature superconducting motors and hybrid drive systems. As a co-founder of elmoCAD GmbH, Dr. Kumar developed advanced simulation algorithms for motor design, reducing the design cycle time significantly.
Dr. Kumar's work is recognized globally through his numerous patents, publications, and successful project executions that have had a profound impact on the field of sustainable transportation. His current focus at ORNL is on pioneering AI and ML applications to predict and prevent failures in electric vehicle systems, aiming to extend their operational life and enhance their reliability.
Education
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
2004 - 2008
Dr. Praveen Kumar earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Delft University of Technology, where his research focused on developing optimization strategies based on Genetic Algorithms and Linguistic Computation for permanent magnet motors and three-phase voltage source inverters (VSI). His work contributed to advancing the field of motor design through the integration of analytical models with AI-driven optimization techniques. His dissertation laid the groundwork for future innovations in electric motor efficiency and performance.
M.Tech in Energy Studies
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
1998 - 2000
Dr. Kumar completed his Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Energy Studies at IIT Delhi, where he worked on the modeling of high-temperature superconducting motors. His master's thesis, carried out at the University of Stuttgart under a DAAD scholarship, explored the feasibility of using new high-temperature superconductors in electric motors, particularly focusing on Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) materials. This research was pioneering in the field and contributed to the development of superconducting motors for niche applications.
B.Tech in Electrical Engineering
Regional Engineering College (now National Institute of Technology), Hamirpur, India
1994 - 1998
Dr. Kumar completed his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Electrical Engineering, where his senior project focused on the control of three-phase induction motors. His early academic training laid a strong foundation in electrical engineering principles, which he later expanded upon through his advanced studies and professional research in motor design and EV technology.