Heat Transfer in Electrical Engineering (EE): What to Expect?

In summary, there are many job opportunities in EE that require knowledge from other disciplines, such as ME. Heat transfer topics, including cooling circuit boards, are important in some branches of EE. Other classical mechanics topics, such as dynamics and manifolds, may also show up in EE curriculum depending on the specialization. Power electronics is an example of a field where both EE and ME principles are crucial. Additionally, interconnects are an area where both EE and ME parameters must be considered. Overall, the specific courses taken may not be as important as the diverse skills and knowledge that can be applied in different engineering specialties.
  • #1
amg63
8
2
I want to pursue EE, but there are still some subjects in ME that I enjoy. Do heat transfer topics ever come up in EE? I would imagine cooling circuit board requires lots of knowledge of heat transfer/thermodynamics. I studied Haberman's PDEs as part of my chemistry undergrad and all it talked about was heat and wave equations. So that sparked my interest.
Are there any other topics form classical mechanics that show up in EE curriculum? (like dynamics, manifolds, simplectic geometry, etc)
 
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  • #2
:welcome:

I started my EE career modeling nuclear power plants for operator training simulators. That required some of almost every kind of classical physics and engineering.

So the answer is yes, there are many engineering jobs that require cross-discipline skills. In fact, I'll even guess that most engineering jobs are like that.
 
  • #3
Depends on the branch of EE. If you get into power supply or power control you will need to understand heatsinks and related topics.
 
  • #4
Power Electronics - 1/2 of the job is reducing losses, the other half is getting rid of the waste = heat...
 
  • #5
Electronic transport physics involves quite a bit of statistical mechanics, which is the deeper, more foundational subject in question.

Drift-diffusion equations, Boltzmann transport equation, and, at the bleeding edge, quantum transport with Wigner functions or quantum hydrodynamics are topics of study, particularly in Europe.

EDIT: The departments that study this are usually EE, math, physics, and chemistry.
 
  • #6
My friend works in microwave communications. He needs to get involved with wave guide and antenna designs as well as cooling.

Power transmission design needs many disciplines.

Energy storage ...

I also worked in electric energy futures markets, which needs economics and law as well as EE.

There are thousands of specialties within any engineering discipline. Therefore, the particular choices you make in which college courses to take does not matter as much as you think.
 
  • #7
Windadct said:
Power Electronics - 1/2 of the job is reducing losses, the other half is getting rid of the waste = heat...

This comment absolutely nails it for power electronics.

There are also other power applications where classical dynamics is very important, such at pulsed alternators.
 
  • #8
Another area in which EE and ME are closely coupled are interconnects. You need to be concerned with EE parameters such as load capacity, frequency response, RF crosstalk, shielding, and impedance matching; as well as ME parameters such as coupling force, environmental resistance, and connect/disconnect service life.
 

Related to Heat Transfer in Electrical Engineering (EE): What to Expect?

1. What is heat transfer in electrical engineering?

Heat transfer in electrical engineering refers to the movement of thermal energy from one object or material to another in an electrical system. This can occur through conduction, convection, or radiation.

2. How does heat transfer affect electrical systems?

Heat transfer can have a significant impact on the performance and reliability of electrical systems. Excessive heat can cause components to overheat and fail, leading to system malfunctions or even fires. Therefore, proper heat management is crucial in electrical engineering.

3. What are the common methods of heat transfer in electrical systems?

The most common methods of heat transfer in electrical systems are conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between two objects. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid, such as air or water. Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

4. How can heat transfer be controlled in electrical systems?

Heat transfer can be controlled in electrical systems by using materials with high thermal conductivity, proper ventilation and cooling systems, and insulation to prevent heat from escaping. Additionally, proper design and placement of components can also help manage heat in electrical systems.

5. What are some potential challenges in heat transfer in electrical engineering?

One of the main challenges in heat transfer in electrical engineering is managing heat in high-power systems. As power increases, so does the heat generated, which can be difficult to dissipate. Other challenges include thermal stress on components, thermal expansion and contraction, and thermal compatibility between different materials.

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