The EUR 620,000 Multi-level Silicon Power Module for Aircraft Applications project (MuSiCA) is sponsored through the Clean Sky programme which is the largest European research programme developing innovative, cutting-edge technology aimed at reducing the environmental impact of aircraft transportation.
Electrification of aircraft will be the main technological contributor towards the reduction of CO2, NOx and noise emissions in aircraft. Over its two year course MuSiCA aims to deliver a modular power electronics building block which will be a key enabling technology for the electrification of aircrafts.
The University of Sheffield are partners on the project with Dynex Semiconductor Ltd a leading manufacturer of power electronics devices. The academic expertise that Dr. Griffo and his team are bringing to the project include project coordination, multi-physics modelling of advanced Silicon Carbide (SiC) power modules and the design and test of novel integrated gate drives.
Dr. Griffo is a member of the Electrical Machines & Drives (EMD) research group which has established itself as a world leader in pioneering research on permanent magnet machines, power electronics and drives.
He says "I am very happy to contribute to such an exciting project. It will strengthen the EMD groups' research portfolio and its reputation in the electrical technologies for more electric and sustainable transportation."
"MuSiCA will be a step towards increasing the efficiency of energy conversion systems which will underpin the transition to more sustainable transport such as the electrification of air travel."
"Although there is still a very long way to go until electric planes become a reality, there is a large global research effort to reduce the environmental impact of the aerospace and of the transportation sector overall. Sheffield is at the forefront of this research effort and MuSiCA will be an important stepping stone towards a reduction of the environmental footprint of future aircrafts."
For more information on MuSicA please visit http://highreliabilitydrives.group.shef.ac.uk/projects/musica/ or contact Dr. Griffo at a.griffo@sheffield.ac.uk.