Voltage Booster Research Articles

A Single-Input Multi-Output Inverter with Voltage Boosting for Multi-Load Wireless Power Transfer Systems

Multi-load wireless power transfer systems generally require the configuration of multiple transmitting coils. Using traditional single-output inverters will increase the number of inverters, leading to increased system costs and complex structures. Therefore, this paper proposes a single-input multi-output inverter that can drive multiple transmitting coils simultaneously. Compared with traditional single-output inverters and existing multi-output inverters, the proposed inverter utilizes a topology improvement design and an efficient expansion method. By adding only one inductor, one capacitor, and a small number of power switches, it can generate multiple controllable and stable outputs while ensuring output gain, which is expected to simplify the system structure and improve system performance. This paper first introduces the topology evolution process and operating principle of the proposed inverter. Secondly, a mathematical model is established to analyze its operating characteristics, and its parameter design is carried out. Meanwhile, a comparison with existing multi-output inverters is conducted. Then, the resonant compensation networks are analyzed and selected to match the requirements of different loads. Finally, a simulation model of the proposed inverter is constructed, and an experimental setup is set up. The feasibility and superiority of the proposed inverter are verified through simulation and experiments.

Design and Analysis of a Triple-Input Three-Level PV Inverter with Minimized Number of MPPT Controllers

Photovoltaic (PV) energy has been a preferable choice with the rise in global energy demand, as it is a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy. Optimizing the power generation is necessary to fully utilize the PV system. Harvesting more power uses cascading of impedance source converters taking input from low-voltage PV arrays which requires multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. To solve this problem, a three-level inverter topology with a proposed PV arrangement, offering higher voltage boosting and a smaller size with a lower cost suitable for low-voltage panels, is designed in this article. The design criteria for parameters are discussed with the help of the small signal analysis. In this paper, three PV arrays are used to harvest maximum energy, which require only one MPPT controller and employ an extended perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm, being faster, highly efficient, and reducing the computational burden of the controller. Moreover, a three maximum power points tracker algorithm, which perturbs one parameter and observes six variables, is designed for the selected converter topology. Finally, the designed 1.1 kVA grid-connected PV system was simulated in MATLAB (R2023a) which shows that the MPPT algorithm offers better dynamics and is highly efficient with a conversion efficiency of 99.2% during uniform irradiance and 97% efficiency during variable irradiance conditions.

A 2.4 GHz High-Efficiency Rectifier Circuit for Ambient Low Electromagnetic Power Harvesting

A novel 2.4 GHz high-efficiency rectifier circuit suitable for working under very-low-input electromagnetic (EM) power conditions (−20 to −10 dBm) is proposed for typical indoor power harvesting. The circuit features a SMS7630 Schottky diode in a series with a voltage booster circuit at the front end and a direct-current (DC)-pass filter at the back end. The voltage booster circuit consists of an asymmetric coupled transmission line (CTL) and a high-impedance microstrip line (of 100 Ω instead of 50 Ω) to significantly increase the potential at the diode’s input, thereby enabling the diode to operate effectively even in very-low-power environments. The experimental measurements show that the microwave direct-current (MW-DC) conversion efficiency of the rectifier circuit reaches 31.1% at a −20 dBm input power and 62.4% at a −10 dBm input power, representing a 7.4% improvement compared to that of the state of the art. Furthermore, the rectifier circuit successfully shifts the input power level corresponding to the peak rectification efficiency from 0 dBm down to −10 dBm. This design is a promising candidate for powering low-energy wireless sensors in typical indoor environments (e.g., the home or office) with low EM energy density.

Addressing output ripples in low-power CMOS-based multistage DC-DC boost converters for self-powered electrochemical sensors applications

In modern electronic systems, the DC-DC converter plays a pivotal role by facilitating the conversion of direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another. Given the diverse voltage requirements of contemporary chips, a single chip may encompass multiple circuitry groupings, each necessitating specific voltage levels for optimal functionality. To address this need, voltage converters are essential, whether it involves increasing the voltage (Boost converter), decreasing the voltage level (Buck converter), or performing both functions (Buck-boost converter). This paper presents a novel multistage DC-DC converter designed to minimize voltage ripples. The proposed three-stage DC-DC converter is supplied with a 1.5-V input and achieves a four-boost ratio. The cascaded architecture integrates switching capacitors and a gyrator, complemented by a terminating low-pass filter, resulting in a minimal voltage ripple of 0.0003 % relative to the maximum output voltage. Notably, integrating the gyrator enables an inductorless CMOS-based architecture, significantly reducing layout area to 30 × 140 μm2. Furthermore, the converter's transient response was simulated, yielding a response time of 90 ms.

A Five-Level Common-Ground Inverter with Dynamic Voltage Boost and Fewer Elements for Photovoltaic Applications

Transformer-less multilevel inverters (TL-MLIs) are the subject of recent research due to their high-voltage or high-power capacity to convert low-voltage output from renewable energy sources into the desired output. They are also less expensive and smaller than traditional varieties. Nevertheless, leakage current is a common problem with these inverters. The proposed inverter aims to address this issue to the maximum extent possible. In the proposed inverter structure, there is a common ground for the input and output terminals. As a result, the overall common mode voltage (CMV) remains constant. This common ground feature short-circuits the Photovoltaic (PV) source to the grid parasitic capacitor, resulting in negligible leakage current. Furthermore, the proposed inverter boosts output voltage using the least amount of power devices and a single voltage source. The proposed inverter can be used modularly, increasing the number of output levels that can be achieved. The simulation results from MATLAB/Simulink and the conclusion of the mathematical analysis for the proposed inverter are shown. The results also demonstrate the output voltage boost capability, zero leakage current, and an appropriate total harmonic distortion for the output voltage and current waveforms.

Self-Balanced Switched-Capacitor Common-Grounding Boost Multilevel Inverter

Transformerless inverters have been extensively deployed in photovoltaic (PV) applications, owing to features such as high efficiency, high power quality, and low cost. However, the leakage current in such inverters due to the absence of galvanic isolation has resulted in several topological modifications. This paper introduces a single-input switched-capacitor (SC)-based multilevel inverter (MLI) that is capable of eliminating the leakage current due to its common-ground structure. Also, the proposed inverter has the capability of single-stage voltage boosting, which is essential in PV systems. The series–parallel switching facilitates the self-balancing of SCs, which, in turn, assists in voltage boosting. Moreover, the proposed MLI synthesizes a seven-level output using only eight switches. Following an in-depth analysis of the circuit operation, modulation scheme, and power losses, a detailed comparison among recently developed seven-level MLIs is carried out, which verifies the design's superiority. Extensive simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the prominent features of the seven-level MLI under dynamic operating conditions.

Impact of current limiters and fast voltage boosters in grid-forming VSC-based generators on transient stability

Transient stability is a complex phenomenon presented in multi-machine and multi-converter systems, and it is still considered a key limiting factor for stressed power systems. The increasing integration of non-synchronous generation further emphasises the need to address the challenges of improving the transient stability faced by these power systems. Several studies have focused on developing control strategies for Grid-forming voltage source converter (GFM-VSC) to improve transient stability. These strategies include the use of current limiting algorithms and/or control of active/reactive power injections. This paper investigates the impact of fast voltage boosters (FVBs) and hybrid current limiters (HCLs) on transient stability of power systems with 100% grid-forming VSC-based generators. Short-circuit simulations and critical clearing time analysis are performed to evaluate the effectiveness of HCLs and FVBs in improving transient stability. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches in avoiding the loss of synchronism. This research contributes to the current studies on transient stability in power systems and provides valuable insights into the potential of HCLs and FVBs as effective approaches to improve system stability.

Design and Performance Analysis of Photovoltaic Power Generation Light Emitting Diode Device

This research focuses on an independent photovoltaic power generation system with supercapacitor energy storage as the study subject. The model is simplified, and the photovoltaic power generation light emitting diode (LED) device is designed based on the given parameters. This system selects a Boost-type step-up converter for the supercapacitor charging circuit, capable of achieving Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). The supercapacitor discharge circuit employs an LM2596 series regulator to power the rated load LED (12 V, 1 W), providing good linear regulation capability. In designing other hardware components of the device, the characteristics of a photoresistor are utilized to implement an automatic load switch circuit. An efficient single-chip integrated circuit LM2575 series is used as a regulator to convert the voltage across the supercapacitor terminals to +15 V and +5 V. Considering the need to collect the output voltage of the photovoltaic cell array and the voltage across the supercapacitor terminals, a resistor divider method is used to sample these two voltages. The sampling circuit includes a resistor divider circuit and a linear optocoupler isolation circuit. An HNC-25LTS series Hall current sensor is used for current sampling to measure AC, DC, and pulse signals under electrical isolation conditions. The supercapacitor, solar photovoltaic panel, control unit, and the main circuit for supercapacitor charging and discharging have been assembled in the experiment. Connecting the charging and discharging circuit with the photovoltaic panel and LED, the system provides power to the LED during the night. Under varying light intensity and temperature conditions, the photovoltaic output voltage waveform, PWM waveform, and Boost circuit output voltage waveform remain stable when reaching the MPPT point. The output power with added MPPT control at different times is compared. The results indicate that the designed system has effectively achieved the functionality of MPPT for solar energy.

Research on Internet of Things based Hand-Pushed Wheel Rangefinder Technology

In order to address the accuracy issues of the hand-pushed wheel rangefinder, this paper proposes a solution that integrates IoT technology and angle sensors into the device to enhance accuracy and informationization level. A wheel rangefinder based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology is designed. The central control device of this system adopts a STM32 microcontroller. The system includes a voltage boosting and dropping circuit, a reset circuit, a gyroscope module, an indicator light module, and a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) transmission module. The gyroscope module is designed to calculate the actual running distance of the handcart through angle measurement, enabling real-time recording and remote transmission of measurement data. Compared with total stations, rangefinders, and measuring ropes, this system is of good effectiveness and its average error is within 1%. At the same time, it has the capability to save measurement information to the database.

Optimizing solar powered electrokinetic remediation of chromium contaminated groundwater: One step closer to a sustainable solution

Electrokinetic remediation (EKR) presents a promising solution for addressing soil and groundwater contamination challenges. However, practical viability is hindered by significant energy consumption and related expenses, necessitating a comprehensive sustainability approach beyond solely adopting renewable energy and low-carbon sources. This study aims to merge innovative solar-powered systems with a risk-based evaluation strategy for tackling chromium-contaminated groundwater, providing valuable insights into EKR economically viable and applicable approaches. Through the integration of environmental and electrical engineering expertise, this study introduces the Continuous Solar-powered Electrokinetic Remediation (CSER) system and risk-based energy efficiency (REF) evaluation approach, addressing intermittency issues while optimizing energy generation and minimizing costs. Experimental results demonstrate removal efficiencies ranging from 29.85% to 84.26%, highlighting the impact of intermittent current, voltage boosters, and electrolyte selection on risk reduction and energy consumption. While intermittent current intensifies the focusing phenomenon and reduces contaminant migration, it may offer promising results in specific cases, such as observed in the EK2 experiment. Conversely, the EK3 results reveal that the integration of conventional solar power with a voltage booster may enhance removal rates but often leads to unfavorable outcomes in risk reduction considering related higher energy consumption. However, CSER, with its utilization of constant current, proves more efficient in power generation, risk reduction, and energy usage compared to other systems. Integration of such a system with cost-effective and environmentally friendly chemical agents could significantly increase the REF index while minimizing related costs, thereby shifting EKR remediation techniques towards sustainable solutions for contaminated groundwater worldwide.

Development of 2400-2450 MHz Frequency Band RF Energy Harvesting System for Low-Power Device Operation.

Recently, there has been an increasing fascination for employing radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting techniques to energize various low-power devices by harnessing the ambient RF energy in the surroundings. This work outlines a novel advancement in RF energy harvesting (RFEH) technology, intending to power portable gadgets with minimal operating power demands. A high-gain receiver microstrip patch antenna was designed and tested to capture ambient RF residue, operating at 2450 MHz. Similarly, a two-stage Dickson voltage booster was developed and employed with the RFEH to transform the received RF signals into useful DC voltage signals. Additionally, an LC series circuit was utilized to ensure impedance matching between the antenna and rectifier, facilitating the extraction of maximum power from the developed prototype. The findings indicate that the developed rectifier attained a peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 64% when operating at an input power level of 0 dBm. During experimentation, the voltage booster demonstrated its capability to rectify a minimum input AC signal of only 50 mV, yielding a corresponding 180 mV output DC signal. Moreover, the maximum power of 4.60 µW was achieved when subjected to an input AC signal of 1500 mV with a load resistance of 470 kΩ. Finally, the devised RFEH was also tested in an open environment, receiving signals from Wi-Fi modems positioned at varying distances for evaluation.

A Switched Z-Source and Switched Capacitor Multi-Level Inverter Integrated Low Voltage Renewable Source for Grid Connected Application

Most of the renewable sources generate power at lower voltage levels in the range of 20-50V which cannot be utilized by the loads. Therefore, stacking multiple modules in series increases the voltage level or using conventional boost converter or QZSis helpful. However, due to series stacking and boost converter or QZS there is a great power loss and also have reliability issues.The QZS inverter has very less boosting gain in the range of 2times. Theconventional boost converter or QZSis replaced with SZSC for voltage boosting and inverter operation. The SZSC boosts the voltage 4-5 times to the input voltage level. For further mitigation of harmonics, the conventional 6-switch inverter is replaced with switched capacitor MLI. Multiple renewable sources are at the input which include PV array, battery unit and PMSG wind module. The battery unit is a support to the renewable sources PV array and wind module. The DC link voltage stability is achieved by the battery unit placed in parallel to the renewable sources. The renewable sources share power to the grid through the SZSC and switched capacitor MLI. For DC voltage stability a CV control is integrated to SZSC. And for synchronized power sharing to the grid, a grid voltage feedback synchronization control is included for the control of MLI. A low rating renewable system is modelled and integrated to grid using Simulink MATLAB software. A comparative analysis is carried out operating the system with QZS and SZSC. The performances of the SZSC and MLI are evaluated by the graphs generated by the simulation of the modelled system.

A Novel Leg-Integrated Switched Capacitor Inverter Topology for Three-Phase Induction Motor Drives

This paper presents an optimized leg-integrated switched capacitor inverter (LISCI) topology for 3-φ induction motor driven home appliance applications where a switched capacitor (SC) network, used for voltage boosting, is integrated with one of the inverter legs (phase-A leg). This results in a reduced semiconductor requirement as the voltage ratings of the phase-A switches are reduced by half. Moreover, due to the unique structure of the proposed topology, it can produce 3-level pole voltage corresponding to phase-A, even though the pole voltages of phases B and C remain 2-level. This kind of performance, referred to as quasi 3-level performance, results in an unusual space vector (SV) hexagon with 12 SVs, which is implemented by using a novel PWM method. A comparison study of the proposed topology with the existing SC based 3-φ inverter topologies reveals that the former has the lowest semiconductor requirement, highly improved harmonic performance and very low losses. All the claims are supported by experimental validations performed on a 3φ induction motor (3φIM) drive.

A Single-Phase Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter With Voltage Boost Ability: Modulation and Analysis

A Single-Phase Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter With Voltage Boost Ability: Modulation and Analysis

Prototyping and Performance Analysis of a Step Driven Piezoelectric Energy Generation System

This paper presents a novel approach to harness energy from human footsteps using piezoelectric sensors. With a focus on addressing the energy needs of densely populated regions such as China and India, where foot traffic is abundant, this work endeavours to convert mechanical energy from footsteps into electrical energy. A prototype hardware model has been designed and presented to generate power through human foot movement, employing piezoelectric sensors arranged in series and connected via a rectifier diode to charge a battery. Additionally, a voltage booster is integrated to amplify voltage output, while an inverter facilitates the conversion of DC to AC power. Experimental investigations were conducted by varying the weights of individuals to establish a correlation between weight and resulting voltage outputs, culminating in a graphical representation of the data. The outcomes of our study showcase the feasibility of tapping into untapped energy reservoirs from foot traffic, thereby presenting promising applications for urban settings. This work contributes towards addressing energy challenges prevalent in densely populated areas and underscores the potential of piezoelectric energy harvesting technology as a sustainable energy solution.

Application of microbial fuel cell and high voltage booster in the dual cathode electro-Fenton treatment of RO16 dye

The microbial fuel cell (MFC) powered dual cathode electro-Fenton (DCEF) advanced oxidation process was used for the Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) dye treatment. As MFC is known for its high membrane costs and low power densities, we used a single-chamber MFC with anodic cell exposure to air to limit the substrate loss caused by the methanogenesis activity and achieve higher power output. The developed MFC shows 672.20 mW/m3 of maximum volumetric power density (Pmax). Although, the developed MFCs generate renewable energy from wastewater; the resulting power is too low for any practical application. Therefore, we designed here a newly developed low-voltage booster (LVB) to extract useful power. With the low output, the MFC voltage (around 0.4 V) was effectively increased to 12.2 ± 0.02 V without experiencing any voltage reversal problems. Furthermore, even after detaching the LVB from the MFC, the boosted voltage (12.2 ± 0.02 V) was consistently maintained for more than 10 h. We believe that this type of low voltage booted electrical circuit MFC-powered system will offer a more energy-efficient and economical method for treating textile industrial dye pollutants.

Power Generation from Footsteps by Using Piezoelectric Sensor

Day by day the use of electricity has been increasing, hence it is necessary to generate electricity using a nonconventional system for conserving natural resources. Here we propose an advanced power generation system using footsteps. The system consists of piezoelectric sensors, Arduino UNO, LCD Display, PIC microcontroller, voltage boosters, battery, LDR and a socket for mobile charging. When the footstep pressure is applied on the piezoelectric sensor, it generates voltage, which in further generates electrical power. The sensors are placed in such an arrangement so as to generate maximum output of voltage. This is then provided to our monitoring circuit. By using this system, maximum voltage obtained is 22 Volt per step and minimum 1 Volt per step. By observing the footsteps at railway station, the power generated by piezoelectric sensor in 24 hours is approx. 78.4Volts.

Design and Simulation of Switched Capacitor for Voltage Boost Converter for EV

The concept focuses on using voltage boost converters specifically made for electric vehicle (EV) drives to simulate and design switching capacitors. In the past, standard boost and non-boost inverters have been used to assess the efficiency of electric vehicles. On the other hand, this proposal suggests using voltage boost converters to greatly increase the vehicle's speed and efficiency. The main goal is to maximise the converter topology's design parameters in order to achieve higher voltage-boosting capabilities and improve the vehicle's overall performance. The research intends to address issues with power delivery and power conversion efficiency through careful investigation and simulation. This research aims to push the boundaries of EV technology and aid in the creation of more effective and potent electric vehicles by utilising sophisticated switching capacitor techniques. The project's approach entails a thorough analysis of current converter topologies and design parameters, followed by in-depth simulation studies carried out with the use of suitable software programmes like Matlab. To maximise the efficiency of voltage-boosting, several parameters, including switching frequencies, capacitor values, and circuit designs, will be rigorously examined and optimised. The relevance of this notion is that it has the potential to introduce revolutionary voltage boost converter designs that are specifically tuned to the needs of electric vehicle drives, hence revolutionising the efficiency benchmarks of EVs. By conducting thorough testing and analysis, this research hopes to open the door for the electric car sector to widely embrace cutting-edge power conversion technology, which will ultimately result in more environmentally friendly and sustainable transportation options.

A Novel Hybrid MPPT Controller for PEMFC Fed High Step-Up Single Switch DC-DC Converter

At present, there are different types of Renewable Energy Resources (RESs) available in nature which are wind, tidal, fuel cell, and solar. The wind, tidal, and solar power systems give discontinuous power supply which is not suitable for the present automotive systems. Here, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Stack (PEMFS) is used for supplying the power to the electrical vehicle systems. The features of fuel stack networks are very quick static response, plus low atmospheric pollution. Also, this type of power supply system consists of high flexibility and more reliability. However, the fuel stack drawback is a nonlinear power supply nature. As a result, the functioning point of the fuel stack varies from one position to another position on the V-I curve of the fuel stack. Here, the first objective of the work is the development of the Grey Wolf Optimization Technique (GWOT) involving a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) for finding the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of the fuel stack. This hybrid GWOT-FLC controller stabilizes the source power under various operating temperature conditions of the fuel stack. However, the fuel stack supplies very little output voltage which is improved by introducing the Single Switch Universal Supply Voltage Boost Converter (SSUSVBC) in the second objective. The features of this proposed DC-DC converter are fewer voltage distortions of the fuel stack output voltage, high voltage conversion ratio, and low-level voltage stress on switches. The fuel stack integrated SSUSVBC is analyzed by selecting the MATLAB/Simulink window. Also, the proposed DC-DC converter is tested by utilizing the programmable DC source.

Extremely large Seebeck coefficient of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based thermogalvanic cells by the dual effect of ion-induced crystallization and nanochannel control

The quasi-solid state thermogalvanic cells (TGCs) have been extensively investigated due to their high Seebeck coefficient (S) and suitability for wearable power generation. However, the influence of hydrogel nanostructure on Seebeck coefficient remains underexplored. In this study, biocompatible TGCs based on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) are fabricated via a fast-photocrosslinking process. Moreover, guanidium chloride (GdmCl) salts are directly introduced into the TGCs to enhance the Seebeck coefficient via ion-induced crystallization in the p-type FeCN63−/FeCN64− redox system. Small angle X-ray scattering reveals controlled GelMA hydrogel mesh size adjusting the amount of GdmCl, leading to improved intermolecular interactions between the guanidium cations and GelMA polymer. The optimized p-type Seebeck coefficient reaches an unprecedented 21.6 mV K−1, which is the highest thus far reported in the context of the TGC system. Furthermore, a prototype wearable thermoelectric generator (TEG) with an output voltage of 1.6 V under a temperature difference (ΔT) of 9 °C is able to power an LED directly without requiring an additional voltage booster. In brief, the dual effect of ion-induced crystallization and nanochannel control substantially enhances the Seebeck coefficient of the TGC, thereby offering a promising strategy for enhancing the performance of low-grade thermal energy harvesting wearable TEGs.