Electrical Power Processing
The two basic functions of electrical engineering are information processing and power processing. The Power Electronics and Electrical Machines Group does research and education in the field of power processing.
Three cornerstones of research expertise exist:
Electromechanics
Electromechanics involves the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy, a process which is reversible. Perhaps the most well known category of electromechanical energy conversion are electrical machines, which are used in a large diversity of applications ranging from small motors in disk drives of computers to generators in power stations. Electrical machines can also perform linear movement, such as in accurate positioning systems, mechanical switches and linear actuators.
Power Electronics
Electrical power can be controlled very accurately at a high efficiency by electronic means. High voltages and large currents can be switched in less than one thousandth of a second with modern semiconductor transistors. With the aid of powerful microprocessors voltages and currents are chopped and reconstructed into almost any wave shape imaginable. Power electronics makes it possible to control the speed and acceleration of the high speed trains in Europe at power levels up to 10MW, and at power levels of less than a watt it is used for the very accurate positioning system of laser discs.
Power Electromagnetics
Electromagnetic fields are used to heat treat or melt metals, sustain and control chemical reactions, generate light, survey the earth and propel projectiles at speeds higher than is possible with chemical explosions. Special devices are designed to fulfill these functions and are mostly intimately interfaced with power electronics. Electrical power processing involves manipulation of electromagnetic energy and a byproduct is electromagnetic pollution which may affect other electrical equipment in the vicinity. Electrical engineering is challenged to design better electromagnetic devices, not only in terms of their primary function but also in their ability to conform to international standards on electromagnetic interference and compatibility (EMI and EMC) .
