IEEE Foundation founded this year EPICS at IEEE Community Projects of Dr. Swarna S. Kalsi fund to support projects “designed to inspire interdisciplinary teams of engineering students to collaborate and develop solutions to meet local community needs.”
EPICS (Engineering Projects for Public Works) at IEEE The initiative provides students with the opportunity to participate in service learning and actively collaborate with engineers and community organizations to develop solutions that address local problems.
The new fund was created by the family of an IEEE Life Fellow. Swarn S. Kalsi to honor his legacy as a pioneer of temperature superconducting magnet technology. Kalsi died on March 2 at the age of 85.
He was a dedicated IEEE volunteer, passionate about the importance of hands-on education, and a supporter of aspiring engineers.
“Dad believed that education, especially engineering, could change lives,” says Kalsi’s son, Sonny. “He was a lifelong teacher who cared deeply about everyone around him and wanted to share his knowledge.”
To further extend his legacy, the Kalsi family worked with IEEE Foundation create a new memorial fund.
“Dad wanted every person to realize their full potential, and he often said that ‘engineers build the future,’” says Kalsi’s daughter, Kiran. “Thus, EPIC at IEEE The program seemed like a natural way to honor his memory and support the next generation of engineers.”
Expert on superconducting magnetic technology
Kalsi grew up in Kanpur. Indiaand received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1962 from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. He continued his education, receiving a master's degree in EE in 1963. Banaras Hindu Universityin Varanasi, India. Then he moved to United Kingdom obtain a doctorate in EE at Imperial College London. After receiving a Ph.D. in 1970 he moved to United States with his wife Kuldeep.
Throughout his 50-year career, Kalsi has worked for leading companies in the industry, including AMSC (American Superconductor), General ElectricAnd Northrop Grumman. His work focused on the design and creation of superconducting magnets for motors generators, power cables and fault current limiters.
IN AMSChe worked to improve the company's power equipment development process using high temperature superconductor (HTS) technology.
“One of his major contributions was HTS rotating machines, including motors, generators, and synchronous condensers,” says an IEEE Life fellow. Alex J. Malozemoffwho worked with Kalsi at AMSC. “He contributed to the development of an industry-leading 36.5 megawatt marine engine for US Navy and the development and successful testing of the HTS dynamic synchronous capacitor.
“Creating a new EPIC The Dr. Swarn S. Kalsi Project Community Foundation at IEEE is an excellent example of how an IEEE member's impact can extend far beyond his or her lifetime.” —Karen Gallucci
“I consider him one of the most insightful and experienced engineers at HTS. energy field.”
Kalsi was provided with more 30 US patents.
After retiring in 2007, he founded Kalsi Green. Energy systemsconsulting company in PrincetonNew Jersey As a consultant, he has helped government and private clients develop large superconducting generators and motors for wind turbinesship propulsion system, transformersfault current limiters and magnetic systems.
Kalsi is the author of the book Application of high-temperature superconductors in electrical power equipmentreleased in 2011.
He actively collaborated with IEEE Princeton Central Jersey Section over the years and was named a Fellow of the IEEE in 2013 for “the development and application of high temperature technologies.” superconductor electricity equipment.”
Heritage Preservation
WITH IEEE Educational Activities launched EPIC at IEEE in 2009, more than 12,000 students from 39 countries participated in service-learning projects. EPICS provides student teams with up to $10,000 in funding, resources and mentorship for projects focused on four key areas of community improvement: education and outreach; environment; access and opportunity; and human services.
According to Kalsi, it made the largest contribution in the history of the EPICS program. Karen GalucciExecutive Director of the IEEE Foundation.
The IEEE Foundation is “very proud and excited about the creation of the new EPICS Fund in the Dr. Swarna S. Kalsi IEEE Community Project Fund,” says the IEEE Foundation. Marco Delimar2025 President of the Foundation. “It will recognize Kalsi’s outstanding and indelible contributions to our industry throughout his celebrated career, and will inspire and support the continued innovation of future generations.”
Jamie Moeschmanaging director of the company IEEE Educational Activitiesis also grateful, saying, “Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Kalsi family, we are able to provide long-term support for service learning projects for years to come, empowering the next generation of engineers to advance technology for the benefit of humanity.”
Kalsi's former colleagues and mentees contributed to the fund. James Storeysenior researcher Robinson Research Institute in Lower Hutt, New Zealandsupports the foundation, for example. He worked with Kalsi on the superconductor project.
“Swarn has been a most valuable member of the team, informing our superconducting propulsion research programs for more than a decade,” says Storey. “I knew him not only to be incredibly knowledgeable, but also to be a very kind, generous and hospitable man. It was a true privilege to have the opportunity to learn from him.”
Create a memorial fund
The IEEE Foundation is collaborating with IEEE groups and families of IEEE members to establish memorial funds that pay tribute to family members, friends, colleagues, teachers, professors, students and others. This type of tribute honors someone while supporting future generations of engineers and celebrating innovation.
“The creation of the new EPICS Foundation at IEEE by Dr. Swarn S. Kalsi Community of Projects is a great example of how the impact of an IEEE member can extend far beyond his or her lifetime,” says Galucci. “In this case, the Kalsi family has perpetuated and supported his deep connection to IEEE and the value of education, continuing his legacy through his professional home.
“With the global, hands-on educational opportunities this program offers to advance the advancement of technology to benefit humanity, EPICS at IEEE is a perfect fit for Kalsi's passion, and we are so grateful to the Kalsi family for their generous and everlasting gift.”
For more information about the foundation or to donate to this initiative, visit page on the IEEE Foundation website. To find out more about memorial and tribute fundsvisit this page.
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