Partnering with Industry to Revolutionize Electric Energy

Six years ago, executives at the startup company Tau Motors were on the hunt for technologies that would allow them to build a new kind of electric motor — one that didn’t require any permanent magnets. When they paid a visit to Matthias Preindl, now an associate professor of electrical engineering at Columbia Engineering, they found the collaborator they’d been looking for.

“We started to mix and match ideas as soon as we met,” Preindl said. The meeting grew into a multifaceted collaboration, with the company sponsoring research in Preindl’s lab and licensing the technology he developed as an NSF CAREER awardee.

Now, Preindl and Tau Motors have elevated their collaboration to new heights by establishing the Columbia Center of Advanced Electrification, which focuses on developing and refining technologies for controlling and converting electricity for everything from electric vehicles to microgrids and futuristic energy innovations.

The new center will further strengthen the pipeline from fundamental research to engineering and industrial applications while creating more opportunities for students and collaboration across many departments at Columbia.

We sat down with Preindl, the center’s founding director, to learn more about the new center and the technologies it supports.

What does “advanced electrification” mean in the context of your new center?

Electricity must often be converted from one form to another or adjusted to different voltages as it moves from generators to grids to devices. Doing this efficiently is crucial for reducing energy loss and optimizing system performance. This is becoming increasingly important as we scale up electrified transportation, heating and cooling, smart grids, and other systems.

Why is this an especially exciting time for electrification?

The work at the Columbia Center of Advanced Electrification is part of a larger global transformation. Electrification is no longer just an environmental imperative — it is a technological revolution reshaping industries worldwide. The growth of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power is a major factor in accelerating the shift to a fully electrified economy, and cheaper energy storage is another. The cost of lithium-ion batteries has dropped by over 90% in the past decade, making both EVs and grid-scale energy storage more affordable. Emerging next-gen batteries, such as solid-state, lithium-sulfur, and sodium-ion, promise higher energy density, longer lifespan, and lower costs, pushing electrification further.

Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure are another important factor. Automakers are making massive investments in EV production, introducing longer-range models with faster charging capabilities. At the same time, ultra-fast and wireless charging networks are expanding, making electric vehicle adoption more convenient and accessible. The batteries in these vehicles aren’t strictly for transportation, either. With smart grids and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, EVs can supply energy back to the grid, enhancing energy resilience and stability.

The electrification revolution is expanding beyond cars. Electric aviation is gaining traction, with short-haul e-planes and urban air mobility projects on the rise. Heavy-duty transport, including electric buses, trucks, and even ships, is becoming a reality. Buildings are shifting to electrified heating and energy management through heat pumps, solar integration, and smart energy systems, while industries are replacing fossil-fuel systems with electric furnaces and high-efficiency heat pumps.

Finally, artificial intelligence is playing a crucial role in optimizing energy use. AI-driven energy management systems are improving efficiency in homes, factories, and transportation. Meanwhile, autonomous electric fleets and smart city infrastructure are reshaping urban mobility, making transportation more efficient, sustainable, and connected.

What technologies are driving advanced electrification?

The transition to a fully electrified, sustainable economy is accelerated by high-efficiency energy technologies for example:

Wide Bandgap (Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride) and Ultra Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (such as Gallium Oxide and Aluminum Gallium Nitride) enable smaller, faster, and more efficient power electronics for EVs, renewables, and grids by reducing energy loss and improving thermal performance.

Power electronics research is a key enabler of novel high-efficiency and high-power-density power converters. These innovations support bidirectional converters for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration and grid-forming inverters enhancing grid stability and resilience. Additionally, power electronics enable high-performance magnet-free electric motors, reducing dependence on rare earth materials. In wireless and ultra-fast charging, including inductive and dynamic EV charging as well as megawatt-scale chargers, power electronics facilitate seamless energy transfer for both passenger and heavy-duty vehicles.

AI and digital control are transforming electrification by enabling smarter, more efficient energy systems across industries. Smart grids and energy management leverage real-time analytics and decentralized energy resources for predictive load balancing and energy trading to enhance grid stability and resilience. In building electrification, smart energy management leverages heat pumps, battery storage, and V2G-enabled homes with solar energy, enabling self-sufficient, energy-efficient buildings that contribute to a more sustainable and intelligent energy ecosystem.

How do you envision the center propelling that effort?

Our work spans four key areas: research, engineering, technology translation, and education and workforce development. 

Our research program aims to advance energy conversion technologies, including power electronic systems, motor drives, and electrification solutions for transportation, heating, and renewable energy integration.

As engineers, we’re partnering with industry to develop scalable, reliable solutions for electrified transport and energy systems.

To make sure those technologies are implemented at scale, we’re supporting both startups and established companies in bringing innovations to market. While universities focus on discovery, our goal is to ensure these breakthroughs reach commercial adoption.

Finally, we’re expanding opportunities for students through training, seminars, symposia, and career-building events, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

How does the center fit into Columbia’s existing innovation ecosystem?

Columbia already has a strong foundation in energy and electrification research. The Center will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting experts across departments to accelerate innovation.

How will the center support education and workforce development?

A major part of our mission is to prepare the next generation of energy technology leaders. We’ll provide training, hands-on learning experiences, facilitate industry partnerships, and create career opportunities for students interested in electric energy technologies.

Beyond research, we’re focused on building a critical mass of people eager to solve electrification challenges and pursue new opportunities.

Looking Ahead, how do you envision the future of electrification?

With electrification reshaping industries worldwide, partnerships between academia and industry are more important than ever. Through cutting-edge research, industry collaboration, and workforce development, the Columbia Center of Advanced Electrification aims to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy future. We’re not just solving today’s challenges—we’re preparing for the electrified world of tomorrow.

Read the original story here: https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/about/news/partnering-industry-revolutionize-electric-energy