Research at the Electromagnetic Engineering Division
The main part of the research aims at developing theory, methods and models for the design and application of electrical components and systems for electric power and telecommunication. Most of the work is carried out in interaction with industry or is inspired by problems in real apparatuses.
Electromagnetic waves are launched and received by antennas. In response to the needs created by the above-mentioned trends, antenna theory and design has become another main area of research.
The fast advance on Material Science in the last decades is opening great opportunities to develop and/or improve Electrical Power System Components (e.g. transformers, insulators, breakers, cables, etc) with optimum performance.
The research on electromagnetic compatibility explores the mechanism by which various sources produce electromagnetic disturbances, how disturbances couple to other systems, and how the systems can be protected against electromagnetic interference, and thereby enhance its reliability.
The research is focused on the basic macroscopic electromagnetic laws as they apply to the generation and propagation of electromagnetic effects in vacuum, in material media, and in all the various devices that may be constructed to enhance, control, and utilize such effects.
This research area comprises development of theory, methods and tools for electric power components including magnetic and other materials. The governing approach is to model material related electrotechnical phenomena and processes by use of Maxwell’s equations and material algorithms in a system perspective.
The integrity of the electrical insulation is of greatest importance in the reliability of high voltage equipment. Failure of the insulation system may cause an interruption of service, or in worst case a complete damage of the equipment with a costly replacement.
One important trend is that of using higher and higher frequencies, which makes it possible to use smaller and smaller devices. This in turn calls for full electromagnetic field computations for e.g. devices in optical communication systems.
The research within RCAM develops quantitative models and methods for electrical systems, which relates maintenance effort to system availability and total cost, with the aim to reach an optimal maintenance management.
