Advanced Magnetics for Power and Energy Development - A Multidisciplinary Consortium between the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and North Carolina State University

Emerging societal trends drive the need for advanced magnetic materials and power magnetic components including the electrification of domestic and military transportation; the emergence of solid state transformers as a practical and viable alternative to conventional transformers; increased penetration of renewables and other distributed energy resources which require power electronics converters and novel electric machines for grid integration. A historical gap in research and development funding for advanced power magnetics has created a severe shortfall in the necessary workforce required to support these quickly emerging areas within both nascent and established industries in the electric power sector. Since January 2020, faculty members in the engineering school having been establishing a consortium called Advanced Magnetics for Power and Energy Development (AMPED). The consortium will focus on magnetic materials development, manufacturing techniques, and their utilization in power electronic systems at medium frequency and medium power levels. Other AMPED university partners include North Carolina State University and Carnegie Mellon University. Faculty from the School of Engineering will lead this proposal effort with support from the Katz School of Business and School of Computing and Information Science. Faculty from the Katz School of Business will offer expertise in technology-to-market planning and competitive analysis, and faculty from the School of Computing and Information will aid in the development of novel algorithms for optimizing magnetics and power electronics technology like transformers, inductors, and electric motors given cost, weight, performance and volume constraints. The faculty received $60,000 to establish synergies through facilitated team collaborations, supporting graduate student stipends, and investing into laboratory space at the Energy GRID Institute. The first goal will be to submit concept papers followed by full proposals for attracting federal dollars from the DoE, DoD, or NSF. The second goal will be to attract $100,000 in company investment for AMPED through the membership model.