Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering encompasses the development and understanding of electrical and electromagnetic components, systems, and technologies. It may sound abstract, but electrical engineering forms the basis of our society’s entire technological infrastructure and underpins a wide range of solutions, from energy supply and digital communication to robots, sensors, and measuring instruments.
At DTU, research ranges from fundamental studies of electrical and electromagnetic phenomena to the development of sustainable and critical technologies that contribute to the green and digital transition, ensure our resilience, and enable new solutions in the fields of health, safety, communication, and automation.
Electrical Engineering holds a special status at DTU. It was DTU’s first president, H.C. Ørsted, who discovered electromagnetism in 1820 and was one of the key pioneers in the field.
DTU’s four focus areas within electrical engineering research
Electromagnetic fields, waves and systems
Electromagnetism is a fundamental area of electrical engineering and concerns electrical and magnetic fields, as well as the propagation of electromagnetic waves such as light, microwaves, and radio waves. At DTU, research focuses, among other things, on antenna and microwave technology for wireless systems, advanced measurement methods for electromagnetic fields, and radar and radiometer systems used on the ground, in the air, and in space.
This research forms the basis for the development of antennas, smart electromagnetic materials, high-speed electronics, and sensors. In addition, research is conducted and development is carried out on advanced radar technology, lidar, and other systems that utilise electromagnetic waves for measurement, communication, surveillance, and imaging, including in the fields of mobile communications and satellite systems.
Electrical systems and the use of electricity
Research into electrical systems and the use of electricity focuses on the precise control, conversion, and utilisation of electricity on a wide range of scales – from microscopic silicon architectures to the large-scale electricity grid at the macro level.
This field encompasses the design of advanced circuits, microchips, and power electronics that serve as the ‘brains’ of consumer electronics, such as mobile phones and medical equipment.
This research is crucial to the green transition because it enables the electrification of transport, including cars, buses, lorries, and ferries, whilst also ensuring the intelligent integration of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar cells into highly efficient, sustainable electricity systems.
Robotics, drones, and automation
Research into autonomous and intelligent systems combines electronics, control engineering, sensors, software, and AI to develop robots, drones, and other autonomous platforms.
The research focuses on developing systems capable of controlling processes, making decisions, and performing tasks independently or in collaboration with humans. This includes, among other things, robots for use on land and in water, drones and autonomous systems, as well as the use of data and AI algorithms to optimise operations and processes.
These technologies are used, among other things, in industrial production, agriculture, the healthcare sector, laboratories, the energy sector, and for inspection purposes, where automation can enhance precision, flexibility, safety, and efficiency.
Communications Technology
Research in communications technology focuses on developing systems for the efficient transmission of information. It involves transmitting information both quickly and securely – for example, via wireless networks, satellites, and optical fibres.
The research encompasses wireless communication, the Internet of Things, and quantum communication, and is central to the development of future digital networks and data infrastructure. It ranges from mobile networks and data centres to new forms of secure and energy-efficient communication – for example, between supercomputers – as well as quantum communication networks and quantum computers