Daniel C. Ludois

Daniel C. Ludois is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, College of Engineering, where he also serves as the Research & Innovation Director for the Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC). He holds the distinguished title of Jim and Anne Sorden Professor and is an H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellow, reflecting his leadership in research and education.

Dr. Ludois earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UW–Madison in 2012 and a B.S. in Physics from Bradley University in 2006. His research focuses on advancing power conversion technologies, particularly through electrostatic machines, capacitive wireless power transfer, wound field synchronous machines, and integrated power electronics. He teaches core courses such as ECE 411 (Introduction to Electric Drives), ECE 711 (Dynamics and Control of AC Drives), and ECE 713 (Electromagnetic Design of AC Machines).

• Power Electronics
• Wireless Power Transfer (Capacitive Coupling)
• Electrostatic Machines (Copper-Free, Steel-Free Motors)
• Sustainable Electric Machine Design
• High-Frequency and High-Voltage Power Conversion
• Brushless Excitation Systems
• Integration of Inductors and Capacitors

His recent publications emphasize high-torque electrostatic machines using dielectric liquids, capacitive power transfer for aerial platforms and rotating machinery, and innovative inverter topologies. These works reflect a strong trend toward sustainable, high-performance electric machines that reduce reliance on rare-earth materials and traditional conductive components.

Dr. Ludois has received numerous honors, including:

• NSF CAREER Award (2015)
• Moore Inventor Fellowship (2017)
• DOE InDEEP Competition Phase I & II Awards (2024)
• H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellow (2023)
• Vilas Faculty Early Career Investigator Award (2022)
• Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Innovation Award (2012)

He has mentored a highly entrepreneurial group of students, several of whom have founded startups such as H3X (Forbes 30 Under 30) and C-Motive Technologies, which he co-founded to commercialize electrostatic power conversion devices. His team has secured significant recognition, including multiple Grainger Power Engineering Fellowships and IEEE best paper awards. Dr. Ludois leads a vibrant research lab focused on next-generation power systems, with funding from federal agencies and industry partners, driving innovation in electric transportation, renewable energy, and industrial automation.