Tim McRae is an Associated Professor and researcher specializing in high-frequency power electronic at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense in the Digital and High Frequency Electronics Section. He is also the Head of Programme for Electronics in Odense. 

Tim received his B.A.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 2013 and 2018, respectively. 

My research focuses pm developing power electronics that achieve higher efficiency, reduced losses, and smaller physical footprints for custom research and industrial applications. My goal is to address growing performance demands of next-generation electrical systems, including electric vehicles, artificial intelligence infrastructure, renewable energy systems, and advanced power delivery networks.

In general, I use a three-pronged research strategy that integrates circuit innovation, advanced control techniques, and mathematical optimization to improve the performance and scalability of modern power electronic systems.

Novel Converter Topologies and Switched-Capacitor Systems

A major focus is the design of new power converter topologies that leverage capacitive energy transfer, hybrid switched-capacitor architectures, partial power processing, and component reduction techniques. Rather than relying solely on advances in semiconductor devices or passive components, I investigate how new architectures can overcome fundamental application constraints while simultaneously increasing power density, improving efficiency, and reducing system complexity.

Digital and Mixed-Signal Control Systems

I also incorporate advanced control methodologies that combine the flexibility and programmability of digital systems with the high-bandwidth performance of analog circuitry. In this way, the aim is to achieve dynamic responses beyond the limits of conventional linear control approaches without increasing physical size or hardware complexity. Such capabilities are particularly important for electric vehicles, AI computing platforms, and other applications that require highly responsive and efficient power management.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Power Electronics

The third pillar is the application of convex optimization and mathematical design methodologies to power converter design. These mathematical tools can determine globally optimal solutions in seconds, while balancing competing objectives such as efficiency, power density, cost, thermal performance, and component stress.

Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that this metholodogy can be used to make direct objective comparisons between fundamentally different converter topologies, operating conditions, and switching frequencies. In this way, the inherent characteristics of converter architectures can be evaluated, independent of specific implementation choices.

Research Areas

• High-frequency power electronics
• Hybrid and switched-capacitor converter topologies
• Partial power processing
• Digital and mixed-signal control
• High-bandwidth power converter control
• Convex and multi-objective optimization
• Power density enhancement
• Electric vehicle power systems
• Power delivery for AI and high-performance computing
• Advanced energy conversion architectures

Research Mission: To develop highly efficient, compact, and intelligently controlled power conversion systems through innovations in converter topology, control architecture, and optimization-driven design.