CPES Overview
The Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES) includes five universities
and 80 industrial partners. Its mission is to provide leadership through
global collaborative research and education for creating electric power processing
systems of the highest value to society. The programmatic elements of CPES
are categorized into three areas: 1) technology development and demonstration
projects, 2) industrial collaboration and technology transfer, and 3) education
and outreach.
CPES's research
program adopts the "integrated power electronics modules
(IPEM)" approach and includes three major areas: Fundamental Knowledge,
Enabling Technology, and Engineered Systems. Fundamental Knowledge centers
on development of advanced
power semiconductors, integratable
materials,
high-density
integration, thermal-mechanical
integration, and control
and sensor integration. The Enabling Technology is focused on the IPEM design
and synthesis techniques
encompassing electro-magneto-thermal-mechanical
integration. The Engineered
Systems is designed to demonstrate the IPEM-based system
integration concept to a wide range of distributed power systems and applications.
The CPES industrial
collaboration and technology transfer program is our
means of embracing industry in carrying out the Center's mission. It encompasses
four components: 1) the
industrial partnership program, 2) research collaboration,
3) connectivity partnerships, and 4) technology transfer.
The Center's education
and outreach programs consist of seven components:
1) curriculum development,
integration, and distance access; 2) inter-campus
collaboration and exchange; 3) undergraduate
curriculum development and research experience; 4) student
leadership; 5) pre-college
outreach; 6) student recruitment;
and 7) industry/academia outreach.