Form-wound coils for high frequency motors
STARC-ABL concept plane with aft boundary layer electric propulsor
High field superconducting machine
High speed, high frequency machines
Superconducting coil assembly

About Us

Welcome!

Our group is focused on advanced electro-mechanical energy conversion technologies. A key thrust is increased specific power of electrical machines and drives for weight sensitive applications such as electric aircraft and offshore wind turbines. Most projects are interdisciplinary and highly collaborative. The team works within the Grainger Center for Electrical Machines and Electromechanics, and other related groups including the Power Affiliates Program and P.O.E.T.S. Engineering Research Center.

With support from NASA and NSF, the team is exploring technologies that can enable an order-of-magnitude increase in some of the most basic parameters in machine design, including air gap flux density (increasing from 1T to 3-10T) and fundamental frequency (from 400Hz to 3-10kHz). The former is achieved with superconducting magnets and the latter with air-core, high frequency coils driven with inverters using wide-band-gap power electronic switches.

We also work very closely with the industry to insert new machines and drives technologies into actual products, and have active collaboration with a number of aerospace, renewable energy, and industrial companies with projects spanning a broad range of TRL’s and applications.

The group is active in the IEEE Power & Energy Society’s Electric Machinery Committee, the IEEE Transportation Electrification Community, the AIAA Propulsion and Energy Group Electric Propulsion Technical Committee, and the IEEE Council on Superconductivity.