Power electronics is the enabling technology for the vast majority of “things that plug into the wall,” as well as for all renewable energy systems. This talk will define power electronics and describe its evolution as a distinct systems engineering discipline. Various modern applications made possible by power electronics will be described, as well as the benefit to future applications of new semiconductor technologies. Some stories will be told of engineering challenges from the speaker’s consulting experience. The creation of the IEEE Power Electronics Society and the growth of its activities will be detailed. Included will be a brief discussion of the journey to the 2^nd edition of Principles of Power Electronics.

This seminar is supported with funds from the Korhammer Lecture Series.