BATT CAVE
Electrifying Experts
Tiefu Zhao
By Phillip Brown
Tiefu Zhao’s interest in researching electrical power began as a Ph.D. student more than a decade ago. Specifically, it was the potential of renewable energy sources to help build a more sustainable society that captured his attention.
“Power electronics is the branch of electrical engineering devoted to high voltages and currents, so it is the backbone of electrification for our society; it is how we control and convert electrical power,” said Zhao, BATT CAVE’s interim director. While completing his doctorate, he explored revolutionizing solid-state transformers to replace the 100-year-old design still in use. Connecting solar panels and wind turbines to the nation’s power grid is complex due to the mismatch in converting direct current generated by renewable systems to the alternating current of the grid.
His first stop after graduating was a research and development position with Eaton Corporation, a power management company. There he led a global team and conducted advanced studies toward next-generation power electronic solutions related to the electrical sector. In 2016, with six years of industry experience, he joined UNC Charlotte.
Unlocking the potential of wireless power transfer
The use of electromagnetic fields to transmit power across space — known as wireless power transfer — is a specialty area of research for Zhao. This is the technology that makes possible the charging of cell phone batteries through a magnetic field created between the pad and phone, without need for a cable.
Recently, Zhao and his team celebrated a research milestone: a first-in-the-nation, real-world prototype of wireless power transfer in rail application — charging a battery-operated rail trolley at 95% efficiency. Typically, high-powered battery charging in rail systems could achieve roughly 70% efficiency. The five-year effort began as a student senior design project in the W.S. Lee College of Engineering; eventually, more than 70 students participated in the project. It led to a collaborative partnership with the city of Belmont, North Carolina, and the U.S. and state departments of Transportation. The nonprofit Belmont Trolley Inc. is seeking to restore service between Belmont and Belmont Abbey College’s Sacred Heart Campus as part of a downtown revitalization effort.
Zhao points out the ways this project demonstrates BATT CAVE’s unique approach to research
“Electrical engineering is needed to build high-density, highly efficient power converters,” he said. “Civil engineering provides expertise to install the necessary infrastructure and mechanical engineering to construct safe and effective batteries to meet project specifications.”
Private-public collaborations such as this one will bring increased visibility to BATT CAVE and its innovations as students benefit from opportunities to engage in hands-on research as they prepare for today’s industry careers. For Zhao and his team, BATT CAVE will offer the chance to transform not only power electronic systems and applications but also the economy of Charlotte and the region.
‘Finding a location for this project posed some difficulties since we needed to run a train indoors. BATT CAVE provides the support and resources we need, including the necessary space, high-voltage power and, most importantly, help from the faculty.’
– Mason Sun, master’s and future Ph.D. student, electrical engineering
Meet the BATT CAVE Team
Groundbreaking research, curriculum and collaborations are fueling North Carolina’s ascent as a hub for EV and battery production. BATT CAVE researchers — and their graduate students — are driving solutions regarding next-generation batteries for vehicles, smart cities and intelligent systems.
Artur Wolek
Remote Controller
Amir Ghasemi
Self-driving Director
Anthony Bombik
Battery Authority
Lin Ma
Element Investigator
ELECTRIFYING INNOVATION
Batt Cave: Electrifying Experts
Tiefu Zhao
By Phillip Brown
Tiefu Zhao’s interest in researching electrical power began as a Ph.D. student more than a decade ago. Specifically, it was the potential of renewable energy sources to help build a more sustainable society that captured his attention.
“Power electronics is the branch of electrical engineering devoted to high voltages and currents, so it is the backbone of electrification for our society; it is how we control and convert electrical power,” said Zhao, BATT CAVE’s interim director. While completing his doctorate, he explored revolutionizing solid-state transformers to replace the 100-year-old design still in use. Connecting solar panels and wind turbines to the nation’s power grid is complex due to the mismatch in converting direct current generated by renewable systems to the alternating current of the grid.
His first stop after graduating was a research and development position with Eaton Corporation, a power management company. There he led a global team and conducted advanced studies toward next-generation power electronic solutions related to the electrical sector. In 2016, with six years of industry experience, he joined UNC Charlotte.
Unlocking the potential of wireless power transfer
The use of electromagnetic fields to transmit power across space — known as wireless power transfer — is a specialty area of research for Zhao. This is the technology that makes possible the charging of cell phone batteries through a magnetic field created between the pad and phone, without need for a cable.
Recently, Zhao and his team celebrated a research milestone: a first-in-the-nation, real-world prototype of wireless power transfer in rail application — charging a battery-operated rail trolley at 95% efficiency. Typically, high-powered battery charging in rail systems could achieve roughly 70% efficiency. The five-year effort began as a student senior design project in the W.S. Lee College of Engineering; eventually, more than 70 students participated in the project. It led to a collaborative partnership with the city of Belmont, North Carolina, and the U.S. and state departments of Transportation. The nonprofit Belmont Trolley Inc. is seeking to restore service between Belmont and Belmont Abbey College’s Sacred Heart Campus as part of a downtown revitalization effort.
Zhao points out the ways this project demonstrates BATT CAVE’s unique approach to research.
“Electrical engineering is needed to build high-density, highly efficient power converters,” he said. “Civil engineering provides expertise to install the necessary infrastructure and mechanical engineering to construct safe and effective batteries to meet project specifications.”
Private-public collaborations such as this one will bring increased visibility to BATT CAVE and its innovations as students benefit from opportunities to engage in hands-on research as they prepare for today’s industry careers. For Zhao and his team, BATT CAVE will offer the chance to transform not only power electronic systems and applications but also the economy of Charlotte and the region.
‘Finding a location for this project posed some difficulties since we needed to run a train indoors. BATT CAVE provides the support and resources we need, including the necessary space, high-voltage power and, most importantly, help from the faculty.’
– Mason Sun, master’s and future Ph.D. student, electrical engineering
Meet the BATT CAVE Team
Groundbreaking research, curriculum and collaborations are fueling North Carolina’s ascent as a hub for EV and battery production. BATT CAVE researchers — and their graduate students — are driving solutions regarding next-generation batteries for vehicles, smart cities and intelligent systems.
Artur Wolek
Remote Controller
Amir Ghasemi
Self-driving Director
Anthony Bombik
Battery Authority
Lin Ma
Element Investigator