Power Electronics and Control

Power electronics and power semiconductor devices play increasingly important roles in the controlled use of electric energy, particularly in providing the link between information and action. Within LEES, research in this area addresses problems of a generic or fundamental nature. These problems are frequently addressed in the context of a specific application, such as traction drives, switching power supplies, industrial converter systems, automotive electrical systems, or large electric transportation and power systems. We judge the appropriateness of research or educational activities by determining whether the expected results will extend beyond a given context, such as those listed above.

Research in power electronics in LEES is not confined to a single dimension of the field (topologies, for example), or a single application domain (such as machine drives). Instead we view the field very broadly, by including the elements of topology, control, packaging and manufacturing, heat transfer and components. Our approach to any single research problem generally incorporates a number of these elements. For example, the research program on very high frequency converters included significant activities in topology development, semiconductor device design, the characterization of magnetic materials, magnetic circuit design, modeling, the development of multilayer copper-based thick-film fabrication technology, and control. This kind of approach brings together essential and varied aspects of any theoretical or practical problem, rather than isolating elements which must work together.

Students motivated to work in this area generally have interests and skills in both analog and digital circuit design and control, and frequently in electromechanics. In many ways, power electronics is an integrating discipline within the laboratory, relying heavily on the application of signal-level analog and digital circuits. Power electronics is an essential component of electromechanical and energy processing systems and often serves as the focus of fundamental work in control. Students prepare for research in this area by taking advanced undergraduate electives in circuits, electromechanics and control, and graduate subjects such as "Power Electronics" (6.334), "Advanced Seminar in Power Electronics," (6.335), "Electronic Circuits" (6.333), "Dynamics, Estimation and Control of Electrical Machine Systems" (6.238), and "Design of Analog MOS LSI" (6.775).

Current Projects:

Analysis, Design, and Control of Cellular Power Converter Architectures
Servomechanical Drives

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