Development of a Reconfigurable Integrated Multilevel Inverter for EV propulsion

The research project consists of designing, prototyping, and experimentally validating a novel integrated inverter concept for the next generation of electric propulsion systems in the automotive industry. The work includes a review of the latest state-of-the-art inverter technologies and topologies, optimization of the inverter based on a driving cycle and a multi-speed transmission, the complete detailed design of the inverter and its subsystems, electrical and thermal simulations, manufacturing, and experimental validation. The objective is to increase the system’s efficiency and power density while reducing its cost, thereby making electric vehicles more accessible to consumers. This multidisciplinary project involves several significant technical challenges, and its outcomes will contribute to the development of commercial products for the electric propulsion systems of tomorrow. The project is carried out in close collaboration with another student working on a novel motor design.

This industry-oriented project, supervised by Professor Benoit Blanchard St-Jacques, is part of the Dana Research Chair on disruptive technologies for electric propulsion. This industrial chair, funded by Dana TM4 and led by Professor Mathieu Picard, involves Université de Sherbrooke, École de technologie supérieure, and Université Laval.

The PhD student will be part of the GREPCI lab and will benefit from the support and resources from the lab and the Research Chair, including the support of a multidisciplinary team across three universities and Dana TM4 experts. The work will be conducted mainly in the GREPCI laboratory, with some system validation at the Sherbrooke Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation.