IEEE Foundation Launches Fund to Honor Magnet Pioneer Swarn Kalsi
The IEEE Foundation has established the EPICS in IEEE Dr. Swarn S. Kalsi Community of Projects fund to honor the legacy of renowned engineer Swarn S. Kalsi, who passed away on March 2, 2023, at the age of 85. This new fund aims to support projects that inspire multidisciplinary teams of engineering students to collaborate on solutions addressing local community needs.
The EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) initiative encourages students to engage in service learning, working alongside engineering professionals and community organizations to tackle local challenges. The fund was created by Kalsi’s family to uphold his commitment to education and his impactful career in temperature-superconducting magnet technology.
Kalsi’s son, Sonny Kalsi, emphasized his father’s belief in the transformative power of education. “Dad believed that education, especially an engineering degree, had the power to change lives,” he stated. His daughter, Kiran Kalsi, noted that their father often said, “engineers build the future,” which aligned seamlessly with the goals of the EPICS program.
A Distinguished Career in Engineering
Born in Kanpur, India, Kalsi earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1962 from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur. He furthered his studies with a master’s degree from Benaras Hindu University in 1963 and then pursued a Ph.D. at Imperial College London, completing his studies in 1970. He moved to the United States shortly thereafter.
Kalsi’s career spanned over five decades and included significant roles at notable companies such as American Superconductor (AMSC), General Electric, and Northrop Grumman. His work focused on the design and construction of superconducting magnets for various applications, including motors, generators, and power cables.
At AMSC, Kalsi made substantial contributions to the development of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology. According to Alex J. Malozemoff, an IEEE Life Fellow who collaborated with Kalsi, “One of his major contributions was HTS rotating machines, including motors and generators.” Kalsi played a pivotal role in designing a 36.5-megawatt ship propulsion motor for the U.S. Navy and developing an HTS dynamic synchronous condenser.
Kalsi was awarded more than 30 U.S. patents during his career. After retiring in 2007, he founded Kalsi Green Power Systems, a consulting firm based in Princeton, New Jersey, to assist clients in designing superconducting generators and motors for various applications.
Continuing His Legacy
Since its launch in 2009, the EPICS program has engaged over 12,000 students from 39 countries in service-learning projects. The initiative provides student teams with funding of up to $10,000, along with mentorship and resources, to support projects in key areas including education, environmental sustainability, and human services.
The Kalsi family made a significant pledge to the EPICS program, marking the largest contribution in its history. Marko Delimar, the 2025 president of the IEEE Foundation, expressed pride in establishing the new fund. “It will recognize both Kalsi’s outstanding contributions to our industry and inspire ongoing innovation by future generations,” he stated.
The foundation’s executive director, Karen Galuchie, remarked on the fund’s significance, noting that it exemplifies how an IEEE member’s impact can extend beyond their lifetime. “Kalsi’s family memorialized and supported his deep connection to IEEE and the value of education,” she said.
Former colleagues and mentees have also contributed to the fund, including James Storey, a senior scientist at the Robinson Research Institute in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, who described Kalsi as “the team’s most valuable collaborator” during their decade-long work on superconducting motor research.
The IEEE Foundation collaborates with IEEE groups and families of members to create memorial funds that celebrate innovation and support future generations of engineers. This initiative aligns with Kalsi’s passion for education and technology advancement, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future engineers.
For further details on the fund or to support the initiative, visit the IEEE Foundation website.
