Power Electronics
Power electronics is an enabling technology for advanced energy applications. It is a critical part of nearly all electronic devices including, but not limited to industrial processes, portable devices, efficient motors, alternative and renewable energy conversion, electric vehicles and lighting. The area itself is quite broad requiring expertise in switching power converters, semiconductor devices, analog and digital control theory, passive components and electromagnetics.
Current Power Electronics Research Projects
1. High efficiency front-end AC-DC power factor correction circuits for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle battery charging.
2. High switching frequency, high efficiency soft-switching single-stage AC-DC power factor correction circuits for electric vehicle battery charging.
3. Optimized deadtime control for synchronous buck voltage regulators used in computers.
Facilities & Support – Engineering & Management Complex
At 14,500 square metres, this $68 million facility is currently the largest project undertaken as part of the UBC Okanagan master plan. Completed in 2011, the Engineering, Management, and Education Complex is a 4-story, state-of-the-art facility featuring UBC Okanagan’s innovated grandwater geo-thermal exchange system.
The glass atrium provides space for students, faculty, and staff from all three programs to socialize, study, and interact. Multipurpose classrooms, project rooms, and laboratory facilties are designed to bring students together through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities. Access to the latest technologies enrich the teaching and learning environment within the facilities.