For decades, there has been a clear and long-term trend toward increased electrification in all modes of mobility and transport, from cars to construction to aircraft, both in the number of electrified vehicles as well as the amount of electric power on board each vehicle. To support and enhance this trend, there is a strong need to increase the power-to-weight or power-to-volume ratio for such electrified components as motors, electronics, batteries, etc.

POETS is a key enabler in providing this increase in power density through its advanced technology and workforce development.

What sets the POETS’ process apart from others is that we consider both the electrical and thermal systems from beginning design concept and optimization through actual deployment in fielded vehicle testbeds.

Our goal is to break down the silos between different disciplines (electrical, mechanical, materials) in order to co-design and co-operate these power-dense electro-thermal systems.

Many engineered systems develop the electrical systems first, then use these to set thermal system requirements. POETS’s vision is one of co-design, driving synergistic thermal and electrical power for tightly-constrained mobile environments to achieve increased power density across a broad array of industrial and consumer uses. 

We are developing the ability to route thermal power as readily as electrical power, and utilize this capability to integrate thermal and electrical design and operation. Our target research focuses on power conversion modules, energy storage elements, thermal management technologies, and electric machines as subsystems in overall mobile systems.

In order to create integrated electro-thermal systems, we have had to develop some basic capabilities that do not currently exist. For example, POETS is building the thermal equivalent of electrical solid state circuits. In parallel with the new thermal circuitry, new designs for wide bandgap and other types of power electronics are being pursued. 

With these building blocks, POETS will be able to lay out electrical and thermal circuit designs simultaneously.

To organize these research efforts, POETS has defined three thrust areas:

• System Design and Operation
• Packaging and Integration
• Component Fabrication

To expedite and sustain this comprehensive research, the POETS headquarters and core partners offer diverse facilities and testbeds which enable a multitude of concurrent and coordinated activities.