Integration of Wide Bandgap semiconductors for Embedded Motor Drives

The project will address the potential benefits of using wide bandgap semiconductors within embedded drives, key tasks to analyse:
- Effect of low loss switching devices on efficiency.
- Analyse the benefits of using multi-pole motors with respect to partitioning of power converters.
- Analyse the benefits of using multi-pole motors with respect to higher power density.
- Analyse any motor power density increases by using higher number of pole pairs and increased electrical fundamental frequency.
- Look into the thermal management and tradeoff with reduced switching losses and reduced heatsink size.
- Examine the use of higher switching frequencies and the effect on the input filter size and cost.
- Create a report outlining the above to be used as a technology gate to decide the route forward to real demonstration.
- Develop a demonstrator to explore in practice the tradeoffs and algorithms developed above.
This research project will mostly focus on exploring different topological arrangements of power semiconductor and passive devices to facilitate the integration of the power converter with the electrical machine thus saving significant material and cabling in a typical propulsion system. These different topologies will utilize the fast switching, low loss, and high-temperature capabilities of wide band gap semiconductors in order to reduce the size of the power converter. The topological research shall also consider the requirements of the motor and mitigate and control the damaging effects of the high dV/dT stress that the wide band-gap can potentially cause. New methods of packaging and integration of semiconductors, passives and motor windings will also be considered to enable cost effective ways to realise the integrated drive structures.

This CDT will produce power electronics specialists with industrial experience, and will equip them with key skills that are essential to meet the future power electronics challenges. They will be highly employable due to their training being embedded in industrial challenges with the potential to become future leaders through parallel entrepreneurial and business acumen training. As such, they will drive the UK forward in electric propulsion development and manufacturing. They will become ambassadors for cross-disciplinary thinking in electric propulsion and mentors to their colleagues. With its strong industrial partnership, this CDT is ideally placed to produce high impact research papers, patents and spin-outs, with support from the University's dedicated business development teams. All of this will contribute to the 10% year upon year growth of the power electronics sector in the UK, creating more jobs and added value to the UK economy.

Alongside the clear benefits to the economy this CDT will sustain and enhance the UK as a hub of expertise in this rapidly increasing area. UK R&D is set to shift dramatically to electrical technologies due to, amongst other reasons, the target to ban petrol/ diesel propulsion by 2040. Whilst the increase in R&D is welcome this target will be unsustainable without the right people to support the development of alternative technologies. This CDT will directly answer this skills shortage enabling the UK to not only meet these targets but lead the way internationally in the propulsion revolution.

Industry and policy stakeholders will benefit through-
a) Providing challenges for the students to work through

b) Knowledge exchange with the students and the academics

c) New lines of investigation/ revenue/ process improvement

d) Two way access to skills/ equipment and training

e) A skilled, challenge focused workforce


Society will benefit through-
a) Propulsion systems that are more efficient and require therefore less energy reducing cost of travel

b) Engineers with new skillsets working more cost-effective and more productive

c) Skilled workforce who are mindful considering the environmental and ethical impact

d) Graduates that understand equality, diversity and inclusion


Environment will benefit through-
a) Emission free cars powered by clean renewable energy increasing air quality and reducing global warming

b) Highly efficient planes reducing the amount of oil and therefore oil explorations in ecological sensitive areas such as the arctic can be slowed down, allowing sufficient time for the development of new alternative environmental friendly fuels.

c) Significant noise reduction leading to quiet cities and airports