Pulse Power Applic ns. The idea for a series of highly focused workshops dealing with key issues associated with the science and technology of advanced power systems had its origin in many conversations with outstanding technologists all over the world. There are a host of key issues which fall into this category such as prime power, thermal management, advanced energy conversion, life support, automated systems and advanced diagnostic techniques just to name a few.
Power systems offer unique challenges to engineers and application specialists.
While a capability or mission may be feasible, more often than not, the power technology available determines the total mission profile. For many advanced concepts, power technology is totally enabling. Often promising concepts are abandoned due to the lack of a foreseeable power technology that could remove it from being a laboratory curiosity. It is insufficient to think totally in terms of system energy density or power density. Due to environmental and safety concerns, the power technologist may be forced to employ non-optimum power systems which drastically limit the performance envelope.