Trailblazing in power electronics: Bob Erickson named Distinguished Professor
Bob Erickson, a professor of electrical, computer and energy engineering at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, was recently named a —the highest faculty rank bestowed by the university.
Known for his pioneering contributions to power electronics and his dedication to education, Erickson reflects on his career, research and the evolving landscape of engineering education in this Q&A.
When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in academia?
It wasn’t a straightforward path. I always knew I wanted to be an electrical engineer. It wasn’t until the second half of my graduate studies that I began to seriously consider academia. At the time, power electronics wasn’t a widely recognized field in academia. It was niche, with only a few conferences and no dedicated journals or societies. Back then, power electronics wasn’t even considered its own discipline in most electrical engineering departments. When I came to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, there was no power electronics program—just traditional power systems. Building something from scratch was a challenge, but it was also incredibly rewarding.
Over your career, what has been the most fulfilling aspect of being a professor?
It’s hard to choose just one! From the research side, it’s been amazing to see the growth of power electronics. What started as a niche area is now a critical field, impacting everything from cell phones to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. I’ve worked on diverse projects—early electric vehicles with General Motors and Toyota, wind power converters, solar power innovations and even tiny inverters that fit into solar roof shingles. It’s nice to see the practical applications of our work influencing real-world technologies.
Erickson is a pioneering figure in power electronics whose innovative research has transformed the field and set new standards for efficiency and performance in electric vehicles, as well as in inverters for solar power, wind power and battery energy storage systems. His development of composite power converter architectures has redefined the capabilities of power electronics, leading to the creation of BREK Electronics, a successful CU spinoff where Erickson serves as Chief Technology Officer. His work has not only driven technological advancements but has also shaped the trajectory of the industry through his collaborations with government and industry partners. His research has been recognized through awards including the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) William E Newell Award, Life Fellow of the IEEE, the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Inventor of the Year and others.
Erickson’s impact on education is equally significant. His textbook, Fundamentals of Power Electronics, has become a foundational resource for engineers and educators worldwide. His dedication to advancing digital education is evident in his leadership in founding and development of the Coursera-based MS-EE program, the first fully online MS-EE degree program, with highly innovative features such as performance-based admissions that are revolutionizing access to professional education and setting a benchmark for online learning in engineering. He led the development of a Massive Open Online Course and a Coursera Specialization in Power Electronics that reached over 100,000 learners worldwide.
In addition to his research and educational contributions, Erickson has provided exceptional service to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, serving as ECEE Department Chair three times, and also guiding the university’s online and professional graduate programs through critical periods of growth. His leadership has positioned ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ as a leader in distance education, ensuring the success and continued expansion of its programs in Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics. Erickson’s enduring contributions to research, education and leadership have had a lasting impact on the field and the university.
On the teaching side, I’m particularly proud of the professional master’s programs we’ve developed. These programs meet the needs of working engineers and provide pathways for students who might not otherwise have access to traditional graduate education. The online courses through Coursera have been a revolutionary—reaching thousands of students globally and showing the transformative power of education.
Speaking of online education, you were an early adopter of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). How has that experience shaped your teaching philosophy?
MOOCs were a game-changer. When ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ partnered with Coursera, my power electronics course was one of the first we launched. I was blown away when 45,000 people signed up. Running the course multiple times, with forums buzzing in multiple languages, was humbling. The most rewarding part was reaching people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to this education—working parents, professionals and even stay-at-home parents looking to learn. It demonstrated the potential of online platforms, and it’s been exciting to see the university build on that foundation with full degree programs.
Your research spans several industries. What has been the most fulfilling aspect of that work?
Seeing power electronics evolve from a niche field into a cornerstone of modern technology has been incredible. When I started, it was all about things like computer power supplies and aerospace systems. Over time, I’ve worked on electric vehicles, solar power, wind energy and energy storage systems. For example, I collaborated on early hybrid electric vehicle projects, helped develop tiny inverters for solar shingles in Silicon Valley and worked on large-scale solar and battery storage solutions. Power electronics now touch everything, from cell phones to wind turbines, and it’s rewarding to have contributed to that growth.
What’s next for the world of power electronics?
Power electronics is really about bringing sophisticated control to electrical power—at scales ranging from fractions of a watt to gigawatts. It’s fundamental to innovations like the smart grid and electric vehicles.ÌýPower electronics is all about improving the efficiency and control of electrical power across scales—from tiny devices to massive infrastructure. It’s integral to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and grid modernization. I see even greater integration of electronics into power applications. Smart grids, for instance, are still a bit nebulous as a concept, but power electronics will be at the heart of making those systems work. The field is constantly evolving, and that’s what keeps it exciting.
You co-founded Breck Electronics. How has that experience shaped your perspective?
Starting Breck Electronics was unexpected. It came out of an ARPA-E project where commercialization was strongly encouraged. Although I initially took a backseat role, I became more involved over time. It’s been a journey full of challenges and successes, from developing unique products to navigating ups and downs in the startup world.
Outside of your professional work, what are some of your personal interests?
I enjoy cooking with my wife and exploring culinary experiences. In my earlier days, I was very involved in music—playing instruments like clarinet, guitar, bassoon and piano. Even though I don’t play much anymore, I still enjoy listening to classical music and seeking out great restaurants during our travels.
What does this honor of being named a Distinguished Professor mean to you?
It’s a very nice recognition from the university. It acknowledges not just my work but the contributions of everyone who supported me along the way.