Project description
Smart magnetics for enhanced transformers and electrical machines
Ferromagnetic cores in transformers and electrical machines enable strong magnetic fluxes with minimal currents. However, many systems in the EU face limitations in performance and compactness due to complex designs and high electrical demands. The ERC-funded SMARTMAG project aims to revolutionise smart magnetics by enhancing the role of magnetic cores in controlling magnetic fields within transformers and electrical machines. It will develop new methods for tuning three-phase transformers and synchronous motors in real time, improving efficiency and simplifying design. Focusing on four innovative applications (two for transformers and two for electrical machines), the project will advance nonlinear and multiphysics material models, integrate them into customised design tools, and validate prototypes in laboratory settings.
Objective
Ferromagnetic cores are used in transformers and electrical machines to allow producing a large magnetic flux with a small electric current. These cores have been traditionally designed for guiding a predefined magnetic flux to a predefined location, leaving them uninvolved with the actual control of the energy conversion process. As the consequence, there are millions of power and distribution transformers and variable-speed electrical motors in the EU alone whose performance, compactness and robustness are limited due to need of complex mechanical arrangements or excessive current and voltage requirements.
SMARTMAG will advance the transition towards active and smart magnetics, where the magnetic cores themselves take a key role in controlling the magnitude and distribution of magnetic fields in transformers and electrical machines. Starting from the fundamental principles of varying the reluctance of ferromagnetic flux paths by direct current biasing and voltage-controlled magnetoelectric composites, we will demonstrate unprecedented methods for tuning three-phase transformers and synchronous motors during the operation, significantly improving their performance and simplifying their construction compared to existing solutions. We have identified four scientifically novel and industrially relevant target applications – two transformers and two electrical machines – whose conceptualization, design, manufacturing and validation form the overarching goal of the project. Our three objectives aim to push the relevant nonlinear and multiphysics material models beyond the state-of-the-art, implement them in customized numerical design tools for transformers and electrical machines and to validate the feasibility of the four concepts by working prototypes in laboratory conditions.
As the result, new methods will arise for reducing outdated auxiliary devices and enabling new functionalities in power delivery as well as designing improved motors for electric drives.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
33100 TAMPERE
Finland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.