Power electronics

Power electronics is a branch of electrical engineering that deals with the application of solid-state electronics to the control and conversion of electric power. This field has evolved over the years, with significant contributions from pioneers like Nikola Tesla, Guglielmo Marconi, and Lee de Forest. The development of thyristors by General Electric and Westinghouse Electric Corporation in the 1950s marked the beginning of modern power electronics. Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University have also played a crucial role in advancing the field.

Introduction to Power Electronics

The introduction of power electronics has revolutionized the way electric power is controlled and converted. The work of William Shockley and John Bardeen at Bell Labs led to the development of the transistor, a fundamental component in modern power electronics. The IEEE Power Electronics Society and the Institution of Electrical Engineers have been instrumental in promoting research and development in this field. Companies like Intel, Texas Instruments, and Infineon Technologies have also made significant contributions to the advancement of power electronics.

Principles of Power Electronics

The principles of power electronics are based on the application of semiconductor devices to control and convert electric power. The work of Boris Belkin and Rik De Doncker at RWTH Aachen University has focused on the development of new power electronic devices and converters. Researchers at University of California, Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon University have also made significant contributions to the understanding of power electronics principles. The development of IGBTs by International Rectifier and Mitsubishi Electric has enabled the creation of more efficient and compact power electronic systems.

Power Electronic Devices

Power electronic devices are the building blocks of modern power electronics. The development of thyristors by General Electric and thyristor-based devices by Siemens has enabled the creation of more efficient and reliable power electronic systems. Researchers at University of Oxford and University of Cambridge have also made significant contributions to the development of new power electronic devices. Companies like STMicroelectronics and ON Semiconductor have also played a crucial role in the advancement of power electronic devices.

Applications of Power Electronics

The applications of power electronics are diverse and widespread. The use of power electronics in electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf has enabled the creation of more efficient and environmentally friendly transportation systems. Researchers at University of Michigan and Georgia Institute of Technology have also explored the application of power electronics in renewable energy systems like solar power and wind power. Companies like Vestas and Gamesa have also made significant contributions to the development of power electronic systems for renewable energy applications.

Control of Power Electronic Systems

The control of power electronic systems is critical to their efficient and reliable operation. The work of Kazuhiro Doki and Toshihisa Shimizu at Tokyo Institute of Technology has focused on the development of advanced control systems for power electronic devices. Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Purdue University have also made significant contributions to the understanding of power electronic control systems. Companies like National Instruments and dSPACE have also played a crucial role in the development of control systems for power electronic applications.

Power Electronic Converters

Power electronic converters are used to convert electric power from one form to another. The development of DC-DC converters by Linear Technology and Analog Devices has enabled the creation of more efficient and compact power electronic systems. Researchers at University of Texas at Austin and University of Wisconsin-Madison have also explored the application of power electronic converters in renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Companies like Delta Electronics and EPCOS have also made significant contributions to the development of power electronic converters for a wide range of applications. Category:Electrical engineering