Tribute for Finite Element Field Computation Pioneer

MVK Chari, a pioneer in finite element field computation, died on 3 December. The IEEE Life Fellow was 97.

Chari developed a finite element method (FEM) for analyzing nonlinear electromagnetic fields—which is crucial for the design of electric machines. The technique is used to obtain approximate solutions to complex engineering and mathematical problems. It involves dividing a complicated object or system into smaller, more manageable parts, known as finite elements, according to Fictiv.

As an engineer and technical leader at General Electric in Niskayuna, N.Y., Chari used the tool to analyze large turbogenerators for end region analysis, starting with 2D and expanding its use over time to quasi-2D and 3D.

During his 25 years at GE, he established a team that was developing finite element analysis (FEA) tools for a variety of applications across the company. They ranged from small motors to large MRI magnets.

Chari received the 1993 IEEE Nikola Tesla Award for “pioneering contributions to finite element computations of nonlinear electromagnetic fields for design and analysis of electric machinery.”

A career spanning industry and academia

Chari attended Imperial College London to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering. There he met Peter P. Silvester, a visiting professor of electrical engineering. Silvester, a professor at McGill University in Montreal, was a pioneer in understanding numerical analysis of electromagnetic fields.

After Chari graduated in 1968, he joined Silvester at McGill as a doctoral student, applying FEM to solve electromagnetic field problems. Silvester applied the method to waveguides, while Chari applied it to saturated magnetic fields.

Chari joined GE in 1970 after earning his Ph.D. in electrical engineering. He climbed the leadership ladder and was a manager of the company’s electromagnetics division when he left in 1995. He joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., as a visiting research and adjunct professor in its electrical, computer, and systems engineering department. Chari taught graduate and undergraduate classes in electric power engineering and mentored many master’s and doctoral students. His strength was nurturing young engineers.

He also conducted research on electric machines and transformers for the Electric Power Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy.

In 2008 Chari joined Magsoft Corp., in Clifton Park, N.Y., and conducted advanced work on specialized software for the U.S. Navy until his retirement in 2016.

Remembering a friend

Chari successfully nominated one of us (Hoole) to be elevated to IEEE Fellow at the age of 40. He helped launch Haran’s career when Chari sent his résumé to GE hiring managers for a position in its applied superconductivity lab.

Chari’s commitment to people came from his family background. His father—M.A. Ayyangar—was known throughout India as a freedom fighter, mathematician, and eventually the speaker of the Indian Parliament’s lower house under Prime Minister Nehru. Chari’s wife, Padma, was a physician in New York.

From Chari’s illustrious family, he was at the peak of South India (Tamil) society.

Chari would fondly and cheerfully tell us the story behind his name. Around the time of his birth, it was common in Tamil society not to have formal names. He went by the informal “house name” Kannah (a term of endearment for Krishna). When it was time for Chari to start school, an auspicious uncle enrolled him. But Chari had no formal name, so the uncle took it upon himself to give him one. He asked Chari if he would like a long or short name, to which he said long. So the uncle named him Madabushi Venkadamachari.

When Chari moved to North America, he shortened his name to Madabushi V.K.

He could also laugh at himself.

A stellar scientist, he also was a role model, guide, and friend to many of us. We thank God for him.