Numerical methods for topology optimization in Electromagnetics

Topology optimization (TO) is the process used to find the best material distribution of a design domain under given constraints.TO was used for the first time in the field of structural mechanics but it’s recently applied also for electromagnetics (EM) problems and other physics. In particular, in the field of EM, topology optimization can play a pivotal role in designing electric motors, induction heating devices, and components for wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, for example, with the purpose of reducing the weight and cost of receiver coil in electric vehicles (EVs). Additive manufacturing (AM) is becoming a feasible technology for creating industrial components by using for example the UV-assisted 3D printing technique. These innovative methods offer the means to create intricate geometries that align with the outcomes of TO procedures, showing the strong connection between TO and AM. At the beginning of this thesis a literature review of AM techniques for design of components made by magnetic and conductive materials will be given. Then the work focuses on the development of numerical methods, by using commercial software, to perform TO in the field of EM. These techniques will be used for the realization of realistic electromagnetic devices.