Faster and Greener: Suburban Air Vehicles (Future of Electric Vehicles USA 2010)

After graduating from Cal Berkeley, he obtained his M.D. degree at UCSF in just three years. While a med student, he designed and built his own 70 mph, street-licensed electric car. Brien co-founded the CAFE Foundation in 1981 to advance aircraft efficiency. In May, 2007, Brien and the CAFE team hosted the First-Ever Electric Aircraft Symposium in San Francisco, which is now an annual event.

CAFE Foundation occupies a unique position in the electric aircraft industry. As a nonprofit organization, CAFE Foundation's mission is to advance the development of low-emission flight by fostering and promoting early entry practical market opportunities. CAFE Foundation accomplishes this by bridging disciplines and industries, helping to identify trends and innovations, building strategic collaborations and ensuring on-going coordination. In order to achieve this mission, CAFE Foundation focuses on three areas:

• Technology - CAFE Foundation promotes the commercial implementation of cutting-edge technologies needed to achieve near-term practical electric flight. These technologies include propulsion, batteries, aerodynamics, materials, airframe design, flight operations, controls, and information integration.

• Business and Marketing - CAFE Foundation facilitates the communications, strategies and market opportunities that support industry growth and success.

• Public Education and Advocacy - CAFE Foundation works with government, academia, industry and other non-governmental organizations to assist in obtaining regulatory and funding support for the industry. CAFE Foundation supports the industry by providing public education on electric flight.

CAFE Foundation believes that collaborative efforts are key in order to push forward electric flight. Our Electric Aircraft Symposium, now in its eleventh year, brings together the people who are vital to this effort, drawing speakers and attendees from industry, government and academia worldwide. EAS is a unique opportunity to hear from industry leaders and to network with industry peers.