Faculty
Philip T. Krein
Grainger Endowed Director's Chair in Electric Machinery and Electromechanics(funded by the Grainger Foundation)
Professor
347 Everitt Lab, MC-702
1406 W. Green
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-4732
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering University of Illinois 1982
Research Statement:
Power electronics is the central enabling technology for advanced energy applications. It is a vital part of alternative and renewable energy conversion, hybrid and electric cars, portable devices, efficient motors and appliances, new lighting technologies, and many industrial processes. Research at Illinois in this area seeks to identify the best methods, best materials, and best engineering practices for the conversion and control of electrical energy. The research also covers dominant application areas, including electric machinery and electromechanics. Approaches such as correlation-based controls, high-performance geometric control and operating methods, and simple ways for wide-range operation of power converters have been developed at Illinois. New approaches to the design of electric machines are being explored. Work on systems and system integration has included electric and hybrid vehicle modelling, analysis, operation, and hardware testing. Illinois also maintains leadership in certain areas of electrostatic processes, notable in the interaction between fluids and electric forces and in electric-field-based electromechanical devices. The latter technologies are the basis of many microelectromechanical devices.
Teaching Statement:
Prof. Krein initiated a complete curriculum in modern power electronics, and has taught project courses such as hybrid and electric vehicles, design of efficient motors for appliances, and others. He designed and developed laboartory facilities and courses used in these subject areas.
Research Interests:
- Power electronics.
- Electric machinery and electromechanics.
- Electric and hybrid vehicle systems.
- Alternative and renewable energy systems.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities:
Each year, several undergraduate students are supported to conduct research within the Grainger Center for Electric Machinery and Electromechanics. Activities range from circuit board layout and construction to advanced research projects. Students work side by side with graduate students and faculty to carry out experimental activities in energy, electromechanics, and power electronics.
For more information:
http://energy.ece.uiuc.edu
"Elements of Power Electronics" support web site
Grainger Center for Electric Machinery and Electromechanics
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Teaching
- Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent, multiple terms.
- Published an undergraduate textbook for power electronics, 1998.
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Research
- Twelve U.S. and four European patents awarded.
- Best Paper Award, International Telecommunications Energy Conference, 2007.
- Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Power Electronics Society, 2005 to 2007.
- IEEE William E. Newell Power Electronics Award, 2003.
- Grainger Endowed Director's Chair in Electric Machinery and Electromechanics, 2002 to present.
- IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000.
- Fellow, IEEE, 2000.
- University Scholar, 1999-2002.
- Henry Ford II Scholar Award.
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Public Service
- Chair, IEEE Technical Activities Board Nominations and Appointments Committee, 2007.
- Elected as IEEE Division II Delegate and member of the IEEE Board of Directors, 2003-2004.
- President, IEEE Power Electronics Society, 1999-2000.
Books Authored or Co-Authored (Original Editions)
- P. T. Krein, Elements of Power Electronics, Oxford University Press, New York, 766 pages, 1998.