Ryan Knippel

Ryan is a Mechanical Engineer who joined C-Motive Technologies in 2019 after graduating with a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The primary focus of his doctoral work was the maintenance of narrow gaps between rotating surfaces through the application and optimization of passive hydrodynamic bearings. This work culminated in the creation of a rotating capacitive power transfer mechanism designed to replace brushed slipring assemblies in wound field machines, as well as the development of a composite-based 25krpm electrostatic induction machine.

Ryan’s additional professional experience includes the design and structural validation of an 80 kW wound field synchronous machine for electric vehicle traction applications. Structural performance of the machine was validated using FEA models developed via material testing on laminates steel structures and application of Voigt and Reuss composite material models.