Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems
Members of the Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems (LEES) conduct research and educate students in the efficient production, distribution, utilization, and storage of electric energy, and in micro and macro electromechanics. We define electric energy and electromechanics broadly to include:
- Power systems design, monitoring, and operation
- Electrical energy storage
- Automatic control
- Power electronics
- High-voltage engineering
- Conventional, continuum, and biological electromechanics
LEES has recently extended its expertise in the control and monitoring of complex electrical distribution networks to include patient monitoring systems, such as those in intensive care units of hospitals. We are also a leader in automotive electrical systems research, bringing together experts in digital and analog circuit design, simulation, electromechanics, micro-fabrication, power electronics, electrochemistry, and economics.
Work in LEES is largely experimental and industrial sponsorship represents the bulk of our financial support. Current projects reflect our community members’ diverse interests, which include:
- Synthetic batteries for portable electrical energy storage
- High-efficiency thermophotovoltaic energy conversion using photonics
- Miniature gas turbine generators, in conjunction with digital avionics systems
- Improving automobile performance through electronics
- Reclaiming vibrational energy
- High-frequency, lightweight AC-DC conversion
- High-efficiency windmill generators
- Electromagnetically actuated valves for internal combustion engines
- High-efficiency automobile alternator
- Design and monitoring of high-efficiency buildings
- Nanofluids for efficient cooling and improved electrical breakdown characteristics in high-voltage electrical transformers
- Breakdown mechanisms in high-voltage electrical insulators
The laboratory’s professional staff includes eight faculty members from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, one principal research engineer, one principal research scientist, three postdoctoral associates, approximately 50 graduate students, and a number of undergraduate students. Faculty from the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering collaborate on many LEES initiatives, and we actively partner with other research labs and centers within MIT and beyond.
