Publishing the Future: The Impact of an ASPIRE Student’s Groundbreaking Research
The advent of wireless charging stations for phones, earbuds, smartwatches and other devices is replacing the days of charging cords and awkward studying or scrolling positions due to not-quite-long-enough cords. This technology is exciting and increasingly more convenient, yet the ASPIRE Research Center has taken it even further through the development of wireless power transfer (WPT) charging stations for vehicles.
Not only can these charging systems support light-duty vehicles, but they can also charge heavy-duty freight trucks. Through dynamic WPT systems, these vehicles can even charge as they drive. This groundbreaking research at ASPIRE is an exciting process that Dheeraj Etta, a fifth-year ASPIRE Ph.D. student at Cornell University, is working on as a part of the ASPIRE Project 2: Electrified Roadways.
“Over the course of my research career, I have authored or co-authored more than 35 publications, primarily focused on capacitive wireless charging for electric vehicles (EVs) and compact onboard EV chargers,” Etta said.
Etta’s faculty mentor Khurram Afridi emphasized the value of Etta’s continual research and development of innovative technology.
“Dheeraj’s work on capacitive wireless charging is highly impactful, as it has enabled high-power large-airgap wireless charging using electric fields, with its inherent benefits,” said Afridi. “The technology that Dheeraj has developed opens a pathway to lowering the cost of electrified roadways that can deliver power to moving electric vehicles.”
This opportunity to conduct new research and share these findings and innovations through publications and conference presentations is a very structured, labor-intensive process.
“Once the concept shows promise, I design and test hardware prototype at meaningful power levels to demonstrate feasibility,” Etta shared. “Before submission, I conduct multiple internal reviews with Professor Afridi and lab peers, tighten figures and captions, and ensure every claim is backed by solid data.”
Publication Recognition
Due to his and others’ meticulous efforts, their hard work and innovative research have not gone unnoticed.
“Recognition through awards such as the WPTCE 2023 Best Paper, the APEC 2025 Best Presentation, and TPEL Highlighted Paper has validated the significance of my research and elevated its visibility, allowing me to present my contributions more effectively in my CV, in interviews, and in future career opportunities,” he said.
Through this publication process, Etta has also discovered how valuable his research at ASPIRE on WPT systems truly is to the engineering field.
“While recognition such as best paper or highlighted paper awards is validating, the most rewarding feeling comes from seeing other researchers cite my work or build upon it and knowing that the research is making a tangible impact,” Etta emphasized.
Afridi added, “Disseminating the results of the research being done by students through publications is important to ensure wider benefits to the society, as well as to recognize the students’ hard work and innovation. It has been a pleasure working and publishing research with Dheeraj given the quality and impact of the work.”
Paving the Way to a Career
Through submission for publication and conference presentations, Etta has received valuable feedback and insights that have helped him both in his Ph.D. and future career.
“Academically, publishing has been transformative. It has challenged me to frame research questions with greater precision, communicate complex ideas with clarity, and defend design trade-offs using rigorous evidence,” Etta explained “Professionally, it has broadened my visibility beyond Cornell and opened opportunities to engage with industry leaders, funding agencies, and fellow researchers who are addressing similar challenges. These interactions have provided valuable perspective on how my work connects to broader technological and societal needs.”
According to Etta, working with ASPIRE has been “instrumental” to his development as a researcher. Through regular presentations at ASPIRE’s biweekly project meetings, presenting at the ASPIRE Student Tech Showcase, and serving as the Cornell University representative on the ASPIRE Student Leadership Council, he has gained firsthand exposure to how academic research can align with industry needs.
“Throughout my Ph.D., ASPIRE fostered an environment where I was encouraged to explore new ideas and supported in turning them into publishable work,” Etta said. “Ultimately, the opportunities I have had through ASPIRE have prepared me for a career where I can bridge advanced academic research with product development and ensure that my work translates into technologies with meaningful societal impact.”
For more information about WPT charging research, read Etta’s latest publication, “Reduced-Fringing-Field Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer System Utilizing Metasurface-Based Couplers and Waveguide Structures.” Students wanting to learn more about how to get involved in publishing innovative research at ASPIRE should reach out to Melanie Conrad, the student engagement coordinator at ASPIRE.
About ASPIRE:
ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE’s work spans engineering, social science, policy, and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders, and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu.
Contacts:
Melanie Conrad
Student Engagement Coordinator
ASPIRE ERC
Writer:
Kayleigh Kearsley
Marketing & Communications Intern
ASPIRE ERC