18
November
2022
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15:03 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

Powering Up Magnetics Research

AMPED Consortium Holds NSF IUCRC Planning Meeting

The Advanced Magnetics for Power and Energy Development (AMPED) Consortium held its second annual meeting on Oct. 5-6, 2022, at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh.

The AMPED Consortium aims to address the growing need for improved soft magnetic materials and enhanced device applications that can operate in emerging electric power conversion and energy technologies. Earlier this year, AMPED received a planning grant from the prestigious NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers Program (IUCRC), which funds research centers that generate breakthrough research by enabling sustained engagement between industry innovators, academic teams and government agencies. The centers are formed around research areas that are strategically important to U.S. industry.

“It was wonderful seeing so many researchers and professionals at all levels getting to interact and share their ideas,” said Paul Ohodnicki, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Pittsburgh and director of AMPED. “I’m excited to see the work we discussed gain momentum and move power technology forward.”

Ohodnicki leads AMPED at Pitt alongside Co-Director Brandon Grainger, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and Eaton Faculty Fellow. Faculty leadership of the consortium also includes Director Subhashish Bhattacharya and Co-Director Richard Beddingfield from North Carolina State University. 

About 75 members and 10 students attended the annual meeting, where attendees presented about their research in magnetics for power and energy. The meeting also included opportunities for industry professionals and researchers to share ideas about current and future research projects and their applications in industry.

“This was a great opportunity to engage with people involved in every aspect of the power magnetics industry, from raw materials production to deployment of finished devices,” said Tyler Paplham, graduate student in mechanical engineering and materials science, who attended the meeting. “It was really exciting to see the direct pathway by which the materials we research and develop are making a real impact.” 

“It was very motivating to share our work with some of the power magnetics community and get feedback from people with so many different backgrounds and perspectives,” added fellow attendee Ryan Brody, graduate student in electrical and computer engineering. “I was encouraged to hear that many in industry are struggling with the same problems AMPED is investigating.”