Upcoming 2023-2024 Roadmap Presentations
Title: High Voltage Gallium Oxide Devices for Next Generation Power Electronics
Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024 10 AM Central Time
Abstract:
Within a decade of the first demonstration of a MESFET device, monoclinic Ga2O3 devices have made incredible progress (underpinned by the availability of large area bulk substrates) in breakdown voltages, power device figure of merit and high-speed performance. It has emerged as a promising ultra-widebandgap semiconductor for next generation power, GHz switching and RF applications. In this talk, we will present an introduction to this emerging technology along with the progress and challenges for industry adaptation. The large bandgap of Ga2O3 leads to a high critical field strength. This high field strength in combination with demonstrated room temperature mobility and calculated electron velocity leads to higher Figures of Merit (BFoM/JFoM) than current commercially available WBG technologies. Additionally, the large bandgap also enables high temperature operation and radiation hardness making it attractive for space applications such as Mars and Venus missions.
The webinar will present lateral MOSFETs with improved field plate design and beyond-kV breakdown. Temperature dependent analysis and device simulation suggest an extrinsic breakdown mechanism outside the channel. A simple and yet effective SU-8 polymer passivation technology provides a significant improvement in breakdown voltages. The higher field strength of the SU-8 polymer enables a significant increase in breakdown voltage to 8.5 kV in lateral MOSFETs. However, these devices show a high Ron, which is due to the depletion caused by RIE of the channel. We will present the use of ultra-high vacuum annealing techniques to improve the on-resistance of the devices still maintaining the multi-kilo-volt rating of the devices. I will conclude the talk with discussion on the challenges that need to be addressed before this technology can be used in the field.
Presenters: Dr. Uttam Singisetti, University of Buffalo
Dr. Uttam Singisetti is a Professor of Electrical Engineering (EE) at the University at Buffalo (UB). He received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2009. He received MS degree from Arizona State University in 2004 and BS degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras in 2001. He joined the EE department at UB in Fall 2011 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2017 and full Professor in 2021. His research interests are in the areas of low-power devices for logic and memory; novel III-N based THz devices and next generation wide and ultra-wide bandgap materials and devices. He was the first to demonstrate high frequency enhancement mode devices in the N-polar GaN technology. During his Ph.D. he worked on III-V MOSFET devices, where he demonstrated a fully self-aligned III-V MOSFET technology. At UB, Singisetti has conducted seminal work on Ga2O3 devices and materials in the last few years. He conducted pioneering fundamental work in understanding the low field and high field transport in Ga2O3 that has led to great insights into the electron dynamics in this semiconductor. His research group was the first to identify the mobility limiting mechanism in Ga2O3, demonstrated multi-kV-class lateral Ga2O3 devices, and highest RF performance in scaled Ga2O3 devices. He is recipient of Senior Researcher of the Year (2019-2020) award at UB. He has co-authored more than 150 publications in peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings with > 3800 citations. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE Electron Device Society. He served on the technical program committee of the IEEE Device Research Conference and on the IEEE EDS Technical Committee on Compound Semiconductor Devices and Circuits. He was Chair of a successful GOX2023 conference in 2023.
Previous 2022-2024 Roadmap Presentations
Title: Medical Electronics Trends Driving Power Electronics
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2024 10 AM Central Time
Abstract: From a simple wearable patch to robotics surgery, innovations in medical and healthcare are happening every day. The emerging key trends in next 4 to 5 years will be based on (1) Remote healthcare and telemedicine – making healthcare more accessible and convenient (2) Personalized healthcare like connected glucose monitoring with precision dosing – growing awareness of tailored treatments (3) Digital healthcare – adopting wearables in health monitoring and management of chronic conditions (4) Retail healthcare and post-COVID investments in IVD like semi-automated instruments, table-top instruments & home/clinic based test-kits – expanding TAM from traditional IVD to Point-of-care (5) Robotics surgery and disposable surgical tools – shifting focus to surgical robots in operation rooms.
Powering any medical equipment involves ensuring a stable and reliable energy source and can vary from single coin cell battery to multi-battery back-up to line-powered AC/DC to wireless charging to USB Type-C power delivery etc. The choice of power source depends on the specific requirements and includes factors like portability, energy efficiency and reliability. For example, the market for wearable medical devices is rapidly growing. Naturally, smaller size, lighter weight, longer operation time, and smarter feature set, are some of the desired traits and advantages that wearable device manufacturers strive for. Often this outpaces battery advancements and results in the need to come up with novel ways to use batteries more efficiently to increase overall functionality.
This presentation covers the forward looking trends in medical and power challenges involved with those trends. From uW to kW, we will cover opportunities for medical power designs and provide system level solutions.
Presenters: Sanjay Pithadia & Brian King, Texas Instruments
Sanjay Pithadia is Sector General Manager for Medical and Member Group Technical Staff at Texas Instruments. He has over 15 years of experience in designing subsystems related to Medical, Industrial Motor Drives, and Smart grid. He has a vast experience in analog design, mixed signal design, industrial interfaces, power supplies and has published over 30 articles. Sanjay’s systems team focuses on hospital patient monitoring, home healthcare, medical imaging and in-vitro diagnostics. Sanjay received B.Tech (2008) from VJTI, India.
Brian King is a Systems Manager and Senior Member Technical Staff at Texas Instruments. He has over 27 years of experience in power supply design, specializing in isolated AC/DC and DC/DC applications with a focus on maximizing efficiency and minimizing solution size and cost. He has published over 50 articles related to power supply design, and since 2016 is the lead organizer and content curator for the Texas Instruments Power Supply Design Seminar (PSDS) series. Brian received a MSEE (1996) and BSEE (1994) from the University of Arkansas.
Title: Power Loss in Magnetic Core: Mechanism, Assessment, and Key Mitigation Strategies
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023 10 AM Central Time
Abstract: We are moving towards a society of zillions of IoT edge devices, electric vehicles, and cloud computing that demands a humongous amount of electrical power. Therefore, the (r)evolution of power electronics is being guided by the mantra of miniaturization and efficiency. Magnetics, being the largest and lossiest component of the power converters, requires thorough understanding of the power loss mechanism in it. This presentation will delve into the power loss mechanisms in magnetic materials being developed in recent years for higher frequency (≥ 1 MHz or ≥ 10 MHz) applications. A general guideline will be provided on how to stem core loss in magnetic materials including soft-magnetic composites. Assessment of core loss, especially at a frequency above 10 MHz is non-trivial. This presentation will highlight some of the methods used for core-loss characterization.
Presenter: Dr. Ranajit Sai, Tyndall National Institute
Dr. Ranajit Sai is a senior researcher and technical lead of the Integrated Magnetics Group in Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland since May 2022. Dr. Sai is actively working for over a decade in high-frequency magnetics – developing soft magnetic materials that include ferromagnetic alloys and ferrites, studying their magnetization dynamics, and integrating them on silicon for high-frequency inductor device applications. Dr. Sai received his PhD in 2014 from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, India. He then spent 4 years (2014-17) at Tohoku University as an assistant professor, followed by another 4.5 years (2018-22) at IISc as a Visiting Professor. Dr. Sai has 40 publications in top journals and 4 patents. In addition, he has presented his work in more than 35 IEEE Mag. Soc. flagship conferences and chaired a few technical sessions in IEEE Intermag and MMM conferences.
Title: The Evolution of Low-voltage Power in Automotive Electronics From the internal Combustion Engine to the Fully Battery Electric Vehicle
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 10 AM Central Time
Abstract: Over the past three decades, automotive electronics have undergone a remarkable evolution, transitioning from traditional internal combustion engines (ICE) to the emergence of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This progression has not only transformed the way vehicles operate but has also driven significant changes in power distribution architectures and semiconductor components. In this webinar, we examine the three major stages of this evolution – from ICE to mild hybrid (MHEV) to BEV – and explore the role of low voltage power distribution and next generation power electronics in shaping the automotive landscape.
Presenter: Alex Lidow, EPC
Alex Lidow is CEO and co-founder of Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC). Prior to founding EPC, Dr. Lidow was CEO of International Rectifier Corporation. A co-inventor of the HEXFET power MOSFET, Dr. Lidow holds many patents in power semiconductor technology and has authored numerous publications on related subjects, including co-authoring the first textbook on GaN transistors, GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion, now in its third edition published by John Wiley and Sons. Lidow earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Caltech and his Ph.D. from Stanford.
Title: High-Voltage GaN Power ICs: Strengths, Gaps, and Future Directions
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023 10 AM Central Time
Abstract: Today’s lateral Gallium Nitride processes offer e-mode HEMT power devices with an RonQg figure-of-merit that is approximately 8× better than 600 V Silicon superjunction devices. In contrast to mature Si-BCD processes, the low-voltage active and passive devices available for designing the supporting circuitry in GaN are very limited. The minimum-length of low-voltage devices in GaN power processes is at least 7× larger than 600 V Si-BCD. Additionally, the lack of a p-type device, limited modeling accuracy, and relatively poor Vt matching all contribute to major design challenges in GaN. This talk will highlight the opportunities as well as the limitations of High-Voltage Gallium Nitride (GaN) integrated circuits, while drawing comparisons to mainstream Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technologies. The goal is to provide an objective analysis of HV GaN ICs, based on fabricated prototypes in multiple HV GaN IC processes to address the key questions: 1) What can HV GaN ICs do today? 3) What is the performance of analog and digital supporting circuits in GaN? 2) What are the appropriate power levels and integration approaches for GaN ICs?
Presenter: Professor Olivier Trescases, University of Torontoe
Olivier Trescases received his Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering at the University of Toronto. Before joining the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor in 2009, he worked as a Concept Engineer and mixed-signal IC Designer in Infineon Technologies, Austria, focusing on safety-critical automotive applications. At the University of Toronto his group conducts research on high-efficiency power electronic converters for automotive, industrial and renewable energy applications. His expertise is in the area of energy management, high-frequency/high-density power electronics, power ICs including wide bandgap semiconductors, battery management systems and electric vehicles. While on sabbatical in 2016, he worked at the Texas Instruments Kilby Labs, Santa Clara, USA, and then at NXP Semiconductor in Eindoven, Holland. Trescases is currently a Full Professor at UofT and a Canada Research Chair in Power Electronic converters. He is the Director of the UofT Electric Vehicle Research Centre. Prof. Trescases received several best paper awards at IEEE COMPEL, ECCE, EDSSC, ISPSD, INTERPAK. He is an associate editor for the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics. He has been involved with the IEEE Toronto Section (4000+ members) in various roles and served as the Section Chair from 2018-2019. He has served on various IEEE conference technical committees, including the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), the Custom Integrated Circuits Conference, and the International Symposium on Power Semiconductors and ICs.
Title: Battery-free Wearable Smart Patch Demonstrator for Healthcare Applications
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023 10 AM Central Time
Abstract: Today, greater than 7 billion linked Internet of Things (IoT) devices drive various applications through seamless communication between people, processes, and things. This is expected to further increase exponentially in the next decade. More than half of these will be wireless with batteries determining their life before maintenance or replacement is needed (typically 18-24 months). This limits their economic, logistical and sustainability viability. Energy Harvesting/micro-power management solutions coupled with lowering of energy consumption of these devices can completely remove (or drastically minimize) this need. The talk discusses a complete system integration of a battery-free Smart wearable patch for healthcare applications. This device is self-powered by an innovative array of on-chip Thermo-Electric Generators, integrated into a micro-controller and Bluetooth BLE communication unit through a power management IC. The achieved power levels and results are discussed in this talk.
Presenter: Dr. Prateek Asthana, Tyndall National Institute
Dr. Prateek Asthana is a Research Professional at Tyndall National Institute, Ireland in the field of micro-scale electronic circuits and systems. He is currently working in the field of design & implementation of energy harvesting based micro-power management solutions for IoT Sensor Systems in real-world applications. He has worked on circuit level, architecture level, and system integration as well as MEMS scale Sensor and energy harvester development having typical applications in health monitoring and asset tracking (people and equipment). He has skills in digital logic design & transistor level low-power design which have been presented in various workshops and conferences. His work in multi-physics simulation, mathematical analysis & experimental verification has been published in various international peer-reviewed journals and books.
Title: Wide-bandgap in Next Generation Solar and Energy Storage Systems
Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023 10 AM Central Time
Abstract: Solar and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are crucial in the energy supply chain. This presentation will overview the trends of solar and ESS and discuss the importance of residential solar and ESS for renewable decentral energy generation. It will also discuss the different architectures and topologies of home energy systems and how Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) can improve performance in various power conversion stages to meet future application trends.
Presenter: Sam Abdel-Rahman, Infineon
Sam Abdel-Rahman received PhD degrees in Power Electronics from University of Central Florida in 2007. He joined Infineon Technologies in 2011, currently he is a System Architect for Server SMPS, Solar and Energy Storage Systems, responsible for developing the application roadmaps. Sam has experience in Power and Semiconductor industry with focus on System Architecture, Topologies, and Control.
Title: Packaging of Double-Side Cooled SiC Power Modules for Traction Inverters
Date: Thursday, September 21, 2023 10 AM Central Time
Abstract: The Vehicle Technology Office of the US Department of Energy has set aggressive targets for electric drive technologies. For traction inverters, the power density targets are 100 kW/Liter by 2025, 150 kW/L by 2030, and 225 kW/L by 2035. Meeting these targets require significant advances in design and fabrication of the inverter and its components, such as wide bandgap semiconductor devices and power modules. Over the past 25 years, the Center for Power Electronics Systems at Virginia Tech has developed innovative nanomaterials and assembly technologies for power module packaging. The research has focused on three strategies: (1) double-sided cooling to reduce device junction-to-case thermal resistance and package stray inductances; (2) sintered-silver bonding to increase the junction temperature above 200 C; and (3) electric-field grading by a nonlinear resistive coating to increase the partial discharge inception voltage of medium-voltage power modules. In this talk, I will share our implementation of the first two strategies for packaging SiC MOSFET modules to meet the 100 kW/L inverter power density.
Presenter: Dr. Guo-Quan Lu, Virginia Tech
Intellectual Property Protection Strategies for AI in the Power Electronics Industry
Abstract: The webinar will present intellectual property (IP) protection strategies for AI technologies in the power electronics industry. The webinar will cover IP protection basics (e.g., patents v. trade secrets) and recent developments in laws and regulations concerning AI technology. The webinar will also provide specific strategies and tips for developing a strong patent portfolio while addressing specific considerations for AI technologies.
Presenters: Brian Rosenbloom and Jennifer Maisel, Rothwell Figg
SiC Power Technology Status and Barriers to Overcome July 28, 2022
Abstract: Electric power system is undergoing rapid transformation that includes large scale integration of renewables and support for electrification of transportation. For the grid to operate reliably, there is a greater need for energy storage systems and intelligent power conversion systems with advanced circuit topologies and high speed communication infrastructure. This presentation describes current trends in the development of grid energy storage technology, and current trends, needs, and opportunities in the development of power electronic infrastructure for tomorrow’s utility systems.
Presenter: Victor Veliadis, PowerAmerica
Dr. Victor Veliadis is Executive Director and CTO of PowerAmerica, a member driven wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor power electronics consortium. At PowerAmerica, he has managed a budget of $150 million that he strategically allocated to over 200 industrial and University projects to accelerate WBG semiconductor clean energy manufacturing, workforce development, and job creation. His PowerAmerica educational activities have trained 420 University full-time students in applied WBG projects, and engaged over 4300 attendees in tutorials, short courses, and webinars.
Dr. Veliadis is an ECE Professor at NCSU and an IEEE Fellow and EDS Distinguished Lecturer. He has 27 issued U.S. patents, 6 book chapters, and over 140 peer-reviewed publications. Prior to entering academia and taking an executive position at Power America in 2016, Dr. Veliadis spent 21 years in the semiconductor industry where his work included design, fabrication, and testing of SiC devices, GaN devices for military radar amplifiers, and financial and operations management of a commercial semiconductor fab. He has a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from John Hopkins University (1995).
Coupled Electronic and Magnetic Systems for High Performance Power Electronics August 25, 2022
Abstract:
Magnetic components present a critical bottleneck on the size, efficiency, and capability of power electronic converters. Active research for eliminating these bottlenecks includes using MHz switching frequencies, leveraging new magnetic materials, developing improved winding techniques, and employing planar magnetic constructions. This talk describes a new, but complementary, research direction in which magnetic and electronic systems are hybridized, viewed and designed as one coupled system, rather than their conventional treatment as separate elements. These are named "Coupled Electronic and Magnetic Systems" (CEMS).
First, the CEMS paradigm is explained and the key features which differentiate it from conventional magnetic components are elucidated, including important distinctions in how circuit models are generated. We then consider two systems developed under this paradigm: the Variable Inverter/Rectifier Transformer (VIRT) and its multi-phase counterpart, the Split-Phase Half-Turn VIRT (SPHTV), both of which enable fractional-turn transformers capable of achieving wide gain variation. In comparing these systems to the state-of-the-art, we demonstrate their high performance capability, further explore their salient features, and highlight key differences to previously proposed fractional-turn transformers. Finally, we discuss challenges and opportunities for the CEMS paradigm in today's and future high-performance power electronic converters.
Presenter: Mike Ranjram, Arizona State University
Dr. Mike Ranjram received the Ph.D. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA in 2021. In 2022, he joined the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University as an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering. His present research interests include system- and component-level techniques for miniaturizing power electronic converters, and the application of these techniques to enable the next generation of sustainable systems and devices. He has also previously worked on modular power electronic converters for high-voltage dc transmission and battery energy storage systems for dc microgrids. Dr. Ranjram is a recipient of the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Prize Paper Award.
Future of Horticulture: Bending the Curve with more Energy-efficient Architectures September 8, 2022
Abstract:
Studies of indoor crop production show that the cost of energy is frequently second only to the cost of labor. Controlling and reducing the cost of Energy over time is therefore critical to the current and future competitiveness of produce grown in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities. Moving from outdoors to indoor farming has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages. Two of the main disadvantages are cost of lighting and the cost of HVAC; these also use most of the energy in a facility. They are low handing fruit and will help bend the curve of higher energy usage. Datacenters have bent the energy curve by innovating hardware and software architectures. The Horticulture industry needs to follow suit with higher overall system efficiency in the areas of lighting, heating, and cooling requirements.
The presentation will review the Datacenter energy curve vs. the Horticulture energy curve. We will discuss the change of indoor grow system to the newer higher efficiency architectures. The new approach is being used and is now part of the DLC specifications. This approach is bending the curve. The Design Lights Consortium® (DLC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to achieve energy optimization. Future opportunities in reducing energy usage will also be discussed.
Presenter: Frank Cirolia, Advanced Energy
Frank Cirolia has 40 years of experience in the power supply industry. He is currently working at Advanced Energy where for the past 17 years he has worked as a Systems and Applications Engineer. Frank's technical expertise includes project management, circuit design, layout, packaging, and production support for all types of power converters.
For the last 5 years, Frank has been working on reducing energy and overall cost for horticulture LED lighting systems. His experience includes: Military and Aerospace with Lockheed, Medical and Telcom with companies such as Unipower, ABB, Ascom, Delta, Artesyn, and Advanced Energy, and 6 years in the US Army working as a Medic and Xray technician.
The Surprising Benefits GaN Brings to BLDC Motor Drives – Design, Performance, and Cooling September 22, 2022
Abstract: This webinar provides an examination of GaN device-based BLDC motor drives including a review of low voltage BLDC motors that covers elements such as motor sizing, torque and speed relationship, and requirements for specific mechanical loads. Over-drive limitations to prevent demagnetizing or overheating the motor and motor parameter determination will also be presented.
Details for two experimentally verified GaN IC BLDC motor drives will be given with various benefit examples such as the difference between 20 kHz and 100 kHz operation and the effect of dead-time. These parameters impact audible emissions, DC to mechanical efficiency, torque ripple, and DC filter requirements. Finally, a look at how to control GaN FET based motor inverters using tools such as: 1) Microchip’s motorbench, and 2) ST’s Motor Control Workbench.
Presenter: Marco Palma, EPC
Marco Palma joined EPC in 2019, where he is Director of motor drives systems and applications. He has over 20 years of experience in motor control power electronics ranging from switches to gate drivers, controllers, and algorithms. For International Rectifier, Marco worked on the smallest 13 kW fully integrated and programmable motor drive power modules in 2002, the first industrial sensor-less FOC controller IC in 2004, and the smallest 100 W, fully integrated fan drive module in 2009. For Infineon technologies, he worked on the smallest programmable 100 W fully integrated motor control power module in 2018. He is the author of several articles and patents in the field of motor control. Marco received an MSEE from Politecnico di Torino and an MBA from Bocconi Milano.
Battery Energy Storage Technologies October 20, 2022
Abstract: Battery energy storage is becoming central to all things digital. And energy storage is poised to transform electrification of transportation and storage is critical for decarbonization of the electric grid. This talk will give an overview of battery energy storage technologies including Li-ion batteries, flow batteries, high temperature batteries, lead acid and alkaline batteries, highlight recent developments in solid state batteries, and discuss what the future holds for new energy storage technologies.
Presenter: Babu Chalamala, Sandia National Laboratories
Dr. Babu Chalamala is head of the Energy Storage Technology and Systems Department at Sandia National Laboratories. He currently serves as chair of the IEEE PES Energy Storage and Stationary Battery. He is a Fellow of the IEEE, American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Academy of Inventors. Authored over 120 published articles and awarded 9 US patents.
Wireless Power for a Safe, Strong, and Sustainable Future November 3, 2022
Abstract: Fast, safe, and efficient wireless power transfer technology, powered by innovations in power electronics and electromagnetics can not only catalyze the transition to electric vehicles but also revolutionize patient care among others.
This webinar will walk you through the key discoveries enabling groundbreaking wireless charging performance that is leading the movement to electrify work, logistics, transportation, and patient care. These innovations include high-efficiency wireless power transfer through high-frequency power electronics and optimized electromagnetics design, maintaining constant voltage and power output at greater distances and regardless of orientation, and achieving high performance whether powering a tiny 3 mm medical device, or a power-hungry Lift Truck, for which Resonant Link’s 19.2 kW, 400 A wireless charger is the fastest and most reliable option.
Join us at this webinar to learn about the same breakthroughs, and magnetic fundamentals, behind all of these applications and more, including Resonant Link’s multilayer self-resonant structures (MSRS) technology to the proprietary tools that simulate real-world conditions with a high degree of accuracy.
Presenter: Phyo Aung Kyaw, Resonant Link
Phyo Aung Kyaw received a B.A. in Physics from Amherst College, an Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, where his research focused on improving the efficiency and compactness of next-generation higher-frequency power electronics. Together with Aaron Stein, Grayson Zulauf and Charles Sullivan, Phyo is a co-founder of Resonant Link, pursuing a better way to wirelessly power everything from life-critical implantable medical devices to industrial and electric vehicles, with the potential to a completely transformed grid. Today, Phyo, Aaron, and Grayson have built a team of engineers, scientists, and innovators, created a remote-first, human-centric culture anchored by offices in South Burlington, VT, Zurich, and Boston, MA, and amassed double-digit customers in healthcare, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics, including multiple Fortune 500 companies. With backing from top investors and government agencies, they are poised to continue their exponential growth and lead the movement to electrify work, logistics, transportation, and patient care for a safe, strong, and sustainable future.
Dynamic Capacitive Wireless Charging of Electric Vehicles November 17, 2022
Abstract: Road transportation, which accounts for 22 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, is undergoing a major transformation with the advent of ridesharing, autonomous driving, and vehicle electrification. Collectively these technologies, in conjunction with renewable sources of electricity, have the potential to dramatically reduce the negative impact of road transportation on the health of the planet. The successful convergence of these technologies will require electric vehicles that are low cost and fully autonomous. These attributes can be realized through dynamic wireless charging. However, this will require wireless charging technology that is well beyond current capabilities, and opens new areas of research related to power and transportation infrastructure. Using examples from the Cornell University High Frequency Power Electronics Group's research on capacitive wireless charging (as opposed to the more common inductive techniques), which leverage very high frequency power electronics, this talk will highlight the opportunities and challenges in dynamic wireless charging of electric vehicles.
Presenter: Khurram Afridi, Cornell University
Khurram Afridi is an Associate Professor of ECE at Cornell. He received the BS degree in electrical engineering from Caltech, and SM and PhD degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT. His research interests are in power electronics and energy systems incorporating power electronic controls. His experience includes positions at CU Boulder, MIT, LUMS, Techlogix, Schlumberger, Philips, Lutron, and JPL. He is an associate editor of the IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics and a distinguished lecturer of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. He has received Caltech’s Carnation Merit Award, the BMW Scientific Award, the LUMS Werner-von-Siemens Chair, and the NSF CAREER Award. He is co-author of six IEEE prize papers.
Role of Energy Storage and Power Electronics in Grid Modernization December 1, 2022
Abstract: Electric power system is undergoing rapid transformation that includes large scale integration of renewables and support for electrification of transportation. For the grid to operate reliably, there is a greater need for energy storage systems and intelligent power conversion systems with advanced circuit topologies and high speed communication infrastructure. This presentation describes current trends in the development of grid energy storage technology, and current trends, needs, and opportunities in the development of power electronic infrastructure for tomorrow’s utility systems.
Presenters: Babu Chalamala and Jacob A. Mueller, Sandia National Laboratories
Babu Chalamala is head of the Energy Storage Technology and Systems Department at Sandia National Laboratories. He currently serves as chair of the IEEE PES Energy Storage and Stationary Battery Committee. He is a Fellow of the IEEE, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Academy of Inventors. Authored over 120 published articles and awarded 9 US patents.
Jacob A. Mueller received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. After graduating in 2018, he joined the Energy Storage Technology and Systems Department at Sandia National Laboratories, where he is currently Senior Member of Technical Staff. His research efforts at Sandia focus on high-performance power conversion systems for utility-scale energy storage.