Pioneering Engineer’s Legacy Fuels New IEEE Fund for Community-Focused Student Projects
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The IEEE Foundation has established the EPICS in IEEE Dr. Swarn S. Kalsi Community of Projects fund, a significant new initiative designed to inspire multidisciplinary engineering students to address pressing local needs through collaborative projects. The fund honors the life and work of Dr. Swarn S. Kalsi, a renowned pioneer in high-temperature superconducting magnet technology who passed away on March 2nd at the age of 85.
A Commitment to Service Learning and Innovation
The EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) in IEEE initiative, launched in 2009, provides a platform for students to engage in service learning, working alongside engineering professionals and community organizations to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. The new fund will bolster these efforts, offering up to $10,000 in funding, along with vital resources and mentorship, to student teams focusing on key areas of community improvement – education and outreach, environmental sustainability, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and essential human services. Since its inception, EPICS has engaged over 12,000 students from 39 countries.
Honoring a Visionary Engineer
Dr. Kalsi’s family created the fund to celebrate his enduring legacy as both a brilliant engineer and a dedicated educator. “Dad believed that education, especially an engineering degree, had the power to change lives,” shared Sonny Kalsi, his son. “He was a lifelong teacher who cared deeply about all around him and wanted to share his knowledge.” His daughter, Kiran, added, “Dad’s desire was for each individual to reach their full potential, and he often said that ‘engineers build the future.’ In that way, the EPICS in IEEE program seemed like a natural way to honor him while supporting the next generation of engineers.”
A Career Defined by Innovation
Born in Kanpur, India, Dr. Kalsi embarked on a distinguished academic journey, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur (1962), followed by a master’s degree from Benaras Hindu University (1963), and a doctoral degree from Imperial College London (1970). He then moved to the United States with his wife, Kuldeep, and dedicated over 50 years to advancing the field of superconducting magnet technology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kalsi held positions at industry leaders including AMSC (American Superconductor), General Electric, and Northrop Grumman. His expertise centered on the design and construction of superconducting magnets for a diverse range of applications, including motors, generators, power cables, and fault current limiters. At AMSC, he played a crucial role in enhancing the development of power equipment utilizing high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology.
“One of his major contributions was HTS rotating machines including motors, generators, and synchronous condensers,” noted IEEE Life Fellow Alex J. Malozemoff, a colleague at AMSC. “He contributed to the design of the industry-leading 36.5-megawatt ship propulsion motor for the U.S. Navy and the development and successful test of an HTS dynamic synchronous condenser.” Dr. Kalsi’s contributions were recognized through more than 30 U.S. patents.
From Consulting to Continued Impact
After retiring in 2007, Dr. Kalsi founded Kalsi Green Power Systems, a consulting firm based in Princeton, New Jersey. He continued to apply his expertise, assisting government and private sector clients in the design of large superconducting generators and motors for applications such as wind turbines and ship propulsion systems. He also authored Applications of High Temperature Superconductors to Electric Power Equipment, published in 2011. His dedication to the field was further acknowledged in 2013 when he was elevated to IEEE Fellow for his groundbreaking work in high-temperature superconductor electric power equipment.
A Generous Gift and a Lasting Legacy
The Kalsi family’s pledge represents the single largest contribution in the history of the EPICS program, according to Karen Galuchie, the IEEE Foundation’s executive director. Marko Delimar, 2025 president of the Foundation, expressed the organization’s enthusiasm, stating the fund will “recognize both Kalsi’s outstanding and indelible contributions to our industry…as well as inspire and support ongoing innovation by future generations.”
Jamie Moesch, managing director of IEEE Educational Activities, added, “Thanks to the Kalsi family’s incredible generosity, we can provide long-term support for service-learning projects for years to come, further empowering the next generation of engineers to advance technology for humanity.” Support for the fund has also come from former colleagues, such as James Storey, a senior scientist who described Dr. Kalsi as “incredibly knowledgeable—a very kind, generous, and hospitable person.”
The creation of the EPICS in IEEE Dr. Swarn S. Kalsi Community of Projects fund stands as a testament to the enduring impact of a dedicated engineer and educator, ensuring his vision for a future built by innovative and community-minded engineers will continue to thrive. For those interested in learning more about the fund or contributing to the initiative, information can be found on the IEEE Foundation website.
