Join a group where power electronics moves from analysis and simulation to real hardware.
SPG researchers work across circuits, controls, magnetics, semiconductor devices, motor drives, integrated power delivery, and system-level electrification. We value curiosity, technical rigor, initiative, collaboration, and a willingness to learn by building and testing.
Why SPG?
Build Real Hardware
Design, fabricate, control, debug, and experimentally validate power converters and electrical systems rather than stopping at simulation.
Work Across Disciplines
Combine power electronics with motor drives, controls, magnetics, thermal systems, integrated circuits, computing, and transportation electrification.
Tackle High-Impact Problems
Develop enabling technologies for electric aviation, data-center power delivery, pulsed power, renewable energy, and emerging electrified systems.
ILLINOIS UNDERGRADUATES
Undergraduate Research
We are generally looking for motivated, curious, and technically strong undergraduate students interested in gaining hands-on research experience in power electronics.
Undergraduate projects span transportation electrification, electric aviation, data-center power delivery, pulsed power, magnetics, renewable energy, and emerging power-electronics applications. Depending on the project, students may contribute to circuit design, PCB development, simulation, embedded control, experimental testing, data analysis, and hardware bring-up.
Undergraduates typically participate through guided ECE 397 Independent Study or paid hourly research positions.
Recommended Preparation
Ideal undergraduate researchers have taken or are preparing to take ECE 464: Power Electronics. Relevant experience in circuits, electronics, controls, embedded systems, PCB design, or laboratory work is also valuable.
Interested?
Email Prof. Stillwell with a brief introduction describing your interests and relevant experience, and include your current resume.
PH.D. RESEARCH
Graduate Research
The Stillwell Power Group is continually interested in talented graduate researchers who want to work on challenging problems in power electronics and electrified systems.
Current research spans high-density and high-efficiency power conversion, advanced motor drives, hybrid switched-capacitor and multilevel converters, wide-bandgap power electronics, data-center power delivery, pulsed power, and transportation and aerospace electrification.
How to Apply
Prospective Ph.D. students must apply through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Applicants interested in SPG should identify research interests aligned with power electronics and the Power & Energy Systems area during the application process.
Graduate applications are reviewed through the ECE admissions process, after which potential research matches may be contacted for further discussion.
Explore the Group
See what our researchers are building and learn more about current work in the Stillwell Power Group.