{"id":352,"date":"2023-01-13T12:32:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T17:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research-multi-dev.utk.edu\/energy-dev\/?page_id=352"},"modified":"2026-04-22T08:20:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:20:12","slug":"electrification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/mobility\/research-areas\/electrification\/","title":{"rendered":"Electrification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Electrification<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Powering high-performance solutions with a smaller carbon footprint<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Powering the propulsion and inner workings of automobiles and aircraft with electricity requires advanced technologies including chargers, batteries, electric motors, and power converters. Lighter, stronger materials for vehicle components must also be developed along with new technologies to connect many more electric vehicles to the nation\u2019s power grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT researchers are working together to support the transition from combustion engines to zero-emission electric vehicles by advancing their performance\u2014and making them more attractive to more users.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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UT\u2019s Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our research powers advances in electric vehicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT faculty and students are collaborating with industry and government partners to study battery safety<\/a> and performance factors<\/a>. Others are advancing wide-bandgap semiconductors and studying the design and applications of gallium nitride<\/a> and silicon carbide devices<\/a> to extend battery range, reduce battery size, and increase charging efficiency. For example, faculty and student researchers from UT, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Volkswagen are advancing wireless power transfer<\/a> and developing commercial-ready innovations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To further enhance efficiency and convenience, UT researchers are improving specific EV components like auxiliary power modules<\/a> as well as integrating the design and function of multiple onboard power electronics<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT\u2019s work in electrification also applies to air mobility. During a five-year collaboration with Boeing for NASA<\/a>, UT researchers developed a first-of-its-kind power inverter enabling electrified propulsion. UT faculty and students continue to investigate relevant power electronics components such as system-friendly<\/a> and cryogenically cooled solid-state circuit breakers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re also investigating opportunities to strengthen the grid\u2019s reliability and resilience to support the shift to electric mobility. UT and Volkswagen are applying second-life EV batteries to power grids<\/a>, and another research team is studying how the electric grid will support future air travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are advancing materials to meet needs across all modes of electric mobility. For example, UT faculty are advancing carbon-fiber composites<\/a> to create lighter, stronger components for automotive and aerospace applications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our faculty has a unique combination of complementary expertise that makes UT a top program in both power electronics and power systems. However, I believe the biggest impact of my work will come from our outstanding students, who are going out to industry and applying all that knowledge towards creating the next generation of products.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Daniel Costinett, Associate Professor, recipient of Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power Electronics Society<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bai Lab Secures Two Patents with EV Industry Partners<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The laboratory of Professor of Electrical Engineering Hua \u201cKevin\u201d Bai has jointly patented two technologies with an automotive manufacturer and a component supplier. These technologies will improve electric vehicle charging and power conversion for greater efficiency and performance.

Learn about these patented technologies.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Zhao Lights a Safer Path for Future Transit<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In collaboration with Ford, Associate Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering Peng Zhao studies thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. His research has provided important insights for battery safety evaluations and has implications for EV battery efficiency.

Learn more about Zhao\u2019s research in collaboration with Ford.<\/a>

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University of Tennessee and Volkswagen Drive the Future of Mobility Through Innovation Hub in UT Research Park<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UT and Volkswagen Group of America model the value of collaboration between industry partners and a world-class research institution. Over five years, the collaboration has produced more than 30 active research projects, 30 publications, and 12 pending patents. Electrification continues to be a key focal area.

Explore our collaborative innovations.<\/a>

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Daniel Constinett and the Future of Wireless Power<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Daniel Costinett, <\/ins>professor and associate head of the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,<\/ins> is reshaping a fundamental component of wireless power transfer: the coil. His team\u2019s novel coil structure significantly improves efficiency, cost, and size. With support from UT Research Foundation, their innovation is advancing from concept to commercialization.

Read amore about this research.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Facilities & Initiatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A number of programs, facilities, and equipment support UT\u2019s mobility electrification research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n