Power Electronics systems are used nowadays in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Specially, in sustainable applications, like renewable energies, electric mobility and smart grids, Power electronic energy conversion (AC-DC, DC-DC, DC-AC and AC-AC) plays an important role because it is possible to increase the performance and capabilities of the systems keeping a high efficiency and a low cost.
The research in the Power Electronics group seeks for improvements in the design and development of power converters that increase efficiency, power density and performance for the specific applications. This is possible by the use of novel semiconductor materials, new magnetic materials, and innovative modelling procedures.
The main research of Power Electronics of the TC Diepenbeek is concentrated in EnergyVille located in the city of Genk. EnergyVille is a research center that is possible by the collaboration on sustainable energy between KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt. In this environment, collaboration and discussions with actual industrial partners in possible, making the research in Power Electronics more effective.
Research
Blog
New Youtube Video
Youtube channel launched
Interview from the KU Leuven’s Newsroom
Welcome
Wilmar Martinez
Wilmar Martinez received his MSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 2013, and the PhD degree in Power Electronics from Shimane University, Japan, in 2016. He was a postdoctoral researcher at the Toyota Technological Institute, Japan, in 2016, and at Aalto University, Finland in 2017. In 2018, he joined KU Leuven, Belgium, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), and he has held the position of Associate Professor since 2023. Additionally, he serves as the Coordinator of the Research Line Power Electronics at EnergyVille in Belgium.
His current research interests include a wide range of areas of power conversion for energy and transportation systems, battery charging infrastructure, and electric powertrain development through the multi-objective optimization of power converters, evaluation of iron losses of magnetic materials, and study of SiC and GaN switching devices.
Associate Professor at the ESAT Department – EnergyVille
KU Leuven
Teaching – Research in Power Electronics for Power Systems – Renewable Energies
Visiting Scholar at the Power Electronics Systems Lab
ETH Zurich
Research in Power Electronics -Multi objective Optimization
Post-doctoral Researcher at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation
Aalto University
Supervising Students – Research in Power Electronics for Power Systems – Renewable Energies
Commissioned Scientist at the Electromagnetic Energy Systems Laboratory
Toyota Technological Institute
Power loss analysis of magnetic materials for PM motors – High frequency inverters with GaN
Research Assistant at the Power Electronics Laboratory
Shimane University
Magnetic integration in DC-DC converters for EVs – High voltage gain converters for EVs
Visiting Researcher
Nippon Chemi-Con, Fukushima
ESR evaluation of Electrolytic Capacitors – Manufacturing process of Electrolytic Capacitors
Teaching Assistant at the Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
National University of Colombia
Teaching “Analog Electronics” course – Conducting experimental sessions with Students
Doctor of Philosophy in Power Electronics
Shimane University
Thesis: Applications of Magnetic integration for DC-DC converters
Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering
National University of Colombia
Thesis: Power electronics for a high performance electric vehicle
Electronics Engineer (Five-year bachelor’s degree)
National University of Colombia
Final Project: Harmonic compensation circuit for residential loads
