High Voltage Environment Research Articles

Laterally Actuated Si-to-Si DC MEMS Switch for Power Switching Applications.

Electrothermal actuators are highly advantageous for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) due to their capability to generate significant force and large displacements. Despite these benefits, their application in reconfigurable conduction line switches is limited, particularly when employing commercial processes. In DC MEMS switches, electrothermal actuators require electrical insulation between the biasing voltage and the transmission line to prevent interference and maintain the integrity of the switch. This work presents a chevron-type electrothermal actuator utilizing a stack of SiO2/ Al thin films on a silicon (Si) structural layer beam to create a DC MEMS switch. The design leverages a thin film Al heater to drive the actuator while the SiO2 layer provides electrical insulation, suppressing crosstalk with the Si layer. The electrical contact resistance of a Si-to-Si interface was evaluated by applying a controlled current and measuring the resultant voltage. A low contact resistance of 150 Ω was achieved when an initial contact gap of 2.52 μm was closed using an actuator with an actuation voltage of 1.2 V and a current of 205 mA, with a switching speed of less than 5 ms. Factors such as the contact force, the temperature, and the residual device layer etching angle significantly impact the Si-to-Si contact resistance and the switch's longevity. The switch withstands a breakdown voltage up to 350 V at its terminal contacts. Thus, it will be robust to self-actuation caused by unwanted voltage contributions, making it suitable for high-voltage and harsh environment applications.

Research on the mechanism of electromechanical coupling response of pulse power multilayer ceramic capacitors under high impact and high voltage discharge composite environment

Pulse power multilayer ceramic capacitors (pulse power-MLCC) are commonly used in complex composite environments with high overload and high voltage due to their large size and capacitance. In order to study the electromechanical coupling response characteristics of pulse power-MLCC in high-impact and high-voltage composite environments, a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) testing system was used to simulate high impact. The mechanical and electrical parameters of pulse power-MLCC were collected under high-impact and voltage environments, and the capacitance changes at different impact velocities were obtained. The stress wave transmission characteristics of pulse power-MLCC were studied by combining numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, and the structural deformation of ceramic dielectric under impact stress was analyzed. The relationship between the capacitance and DC bias of the capacitor was analyzed. A capacitance calculation model for pulse power-MLCC in an electromechanical coupling environment was established, revealing the electromechanical coupling mechanism of pulse power-MLCC.

ISOS-SAB DC/DC Converter for Large-Capacity Offshore Wind Turbine

This study offers a modular isolated grid-connected DC/DC medium-voltage DC aggregation converter to support offshore full DC wind farms’ need for lightweight and highly efficient power aggregation and transmission. The converter can simultaneously have a smaller transformer size and lower switching frequency during operation through the dual-voltage stabilization three-loop control strategy and phase-shift modulation strategy, which greatly reduces the space occupied by the converter and lowers the switching loss, Additionally, the use of a two-level structure at a lower switching frequency has lower loss, which effectively reduces the cost of the power device compared with the commonly used three-level converter. The input series output series connection between the converter sub-modules effectively lowers the voltage stress on each power switching device and facilitates expansion into a multi-module structure, expanding its application in high-voltage and large-capacity environments. This study analyzes the two working modes of the DC/DC converter and its control approach, in addition to providing a detailed introduction to the application scenarios of this converter. Ultimately, the efficacy and practicability of the suggested topology and control scheme are confirmed by simulations and experiments.

Characterization and novel application of power over fiber for electronics in a harsh environment

Power-over-Fiber (PoF) technology has been used extensively in settings where high voltages require isolation from ground. In a novel application of PoF, power is provided to photon detector modules located on a surface at ∼ 300 kV with respect to ground in the planned DUNE experiment. In cryogenic environments, PoF offers a reliable means of power transmission, leveraging optical fibers to transfer optical power. PoF technology excels in maintaining low noise levels when delivering power to sensitive electronic systems operating in extreme temperatures and high voltage environments. This paper presents the R&D effort of PoF in extreme conditions and underscores its capacity to revolutionize power delivery and management in critical applications, offering a dependable solution with low noise, optimal efficiency (∼ 51%), and superior isolation.

Application of End-to-End Perception Framework Based on Boosted DETR in UAV Inspection of Overhead Transmission Lines

As crucial predecessor tasks for fault detection and transmission line inspection, insulators, anti-vibration hammers, and arc sag detection are critical jobs. Due to the complexity of the high-voltage transmission line environment and other factors, target detection work on transmission lines remains challenging. A method for high-voltage transmission line inspection based on DETR (TLI-DETR) is proposed to detect insulators, anti-vibration hammers, and arc sag. This model achieves a better balance in terms of speed and accuracy than previous methods. Due to environmental interference such as mountainous forests, rivers, and lakes, this paper uses the Improved Multi-Scale Retinex with Color Restoration (IMSRCR) algorithm to make edge extraction more robust with less noise interference. Based on the TLI-DETR’s feature extraction network, we introduce the edge and semantic information by Momentum Comparison (MoCo) to boost the model’s feature extraction ability for small targets. The different shooting angles and distances of drones result in the target images taking up small proportions and impeding each other. Consequently, the statistical profiling of the area and aspect ratio of transmission line targets captured by UAV generate target query vectors with prior information to enable the model to adapt to the detection needs of transmission line targets more accurately and effectively improve the detection accuracy of small targets. The experimental results show that this method has excellent performance in high-voltage transmission line detection, achieving up to 91.65% accuracy and a 55FPS detection speed, which provides a technical basis for the online detection of transmission line targets.

Enhancing safety in narrow-band transformerless PLC couplers with a passive symmetrical filter

As the demand for efficient data transmission over existing power infrastructure grows, power-line communication (PLC) systems have become increasingly vital. However, integrating communication signals with high-voltage power lines poses significant safety challenges, emphasizing the need for reliable, safe, and high-performance components. To address cost and safety concerns, this article introduces a symmetrical third-order band-pass filter design that employs a transformerless coupler, avoiding the expense and bulk of traditional transformers while enhancing both equipment and human safety in narrow-band PLC systems. The design, functionality, and safety considerations are discussed, with a focus on implementing a passive analog Butterworth filter, chosen for its flat frequency response in the passband. Additionally, we address the safety aspects of transformerless couplers in PLC applications, emphasizing their reliability and efficiency in maintaining signal integrity while minimizing the risks associated with high-voltage environments. Simulations validated the proposed design, confirming its effectiveness in achieving the desired frequency response. The design is cost-effective due to the elimination of the transformer and ensures safety through the strategic rearrangement of the coupler components, which isolates the power line from the communication side.

Power over fiber development for HEP detectors

Power-over-Fiber (PoF) technology has been used extensively in settings where high voltages require isolation from ground and electromagnetic isolation is critical. In cryogenic environments, PoF offers a reliable power transmission technology, leveraging optical fibers to transfer power with minimal system degradation. PoF technology excels in maintaining low noise levels and isolation when delivering power to sensitive electronic systems operating in extreme temperature ranges and high voltage environments. In a novel application of PoF for a HEP detector, power is provided to photon detector modules located on a surface at ∼300 kV with respect to ground in the planned DUNE experiment. This summary paper of the PoF talk at the 16th PISA Meeting on Advanced Detectors highlights the R&D effort of PoF in extreme conditions and underscores its capacity to revolutionize power delivery and management in critical applications offering a dependable solution with low noise, optimal efficiency, and superior isolation. The DUNE (Abi et al., 2020) experiment will soon deploy large liquid argon (LAr) time projection chambers (TPC) to detect neutrino interactions and other particle physics phenomena. In addition to the particle tracking provided by the TPC, photon detectors, powered by a first ever PoF system, in the cryostat will leverage the high scintillation light yield of LAr to provide crucial timing and additional calorimetric information.

Multi-element synergistic doping enhances high-voltage performance of LiCoO2 via stabilizing internal and surface structures

With the escalating commercialization of 5 G technology and the constant emergence of novel electronic devices, the demand for energy density of LiCoO2 cathode material has been on a consistent rise. Boosting the upper cut-off voltage is an essential approach for enhancing the energy density. While the high-voltage environment facilitates adverse side reactions like irreversible phase transition and electrolyte degradation, thereby accelerating battery capacity degradation. Herein, a straightforward and efficient high-temperature solid-phase strategy is utilized and the elements Ba, Mg, Ga, and Ti are selected for trace doping. Our findings reveal positive synergistic effects among these elements. Mg and Ga significantly suppress the arising of oxygen ligand holes. The distinct distribution of Mg and Ba balances and improves the electronic conductivity inside the elementary particles. Additionally, a triple control system of Ba, Mg, and Ga highlights the important role of Ti. Advanced characterization methods confirm that this approach reduces the particle radius and enhances rapid charging and discharging capabilities of the cathode material. What's more, it effectively suppresses harmful phase transitions and side reactions, maintaining the structure stability. Within the range of 3–4.6 V, the discharge specific capacity reaches 188 mAh/g after 100 cycles, with a capacity retention of 86 %. Furthermore, it demonstrates outstanding rate performance, achieving a specific capacity of 104 mAh/g at 10 C. This improved electrochemical performance underscores the benefits of the synergistic strategy utilizing Ba, Mg, Ga, and Ti, providing a novel approach for developing high-performance LiCoO2 materials.

Development and Evaluation of Ferrite Core Inductively Coupled Plasma Radio Frequency Ion Source for High-Current Ion Implanters in Semiconductor Applications.

This study presents the development of a ferrite core inductively coupled plasma (ICP) radio frequency (RF) ion source designed to improve the lifetime of ion sources in commercial ion implanters. Unlike existing DC methods, this novel approach aims to enhance the performance and lifetime of the ion source. We constructed a high-vacuum evaluation chamber to thoroughly examine RF ion source characteristics using a Langmuir probe. Comparative experiments assessed the extraction current of two upgraded ferrite core RF ion sources in a commercial ion implanter setting. Additionally, we tested the plasma lifetime of the ICP source and took temperature measurements of various components to verify the operational stability and efficiency of the innovative design. This study confirmed that the ICP RF ion source operated effectively under a high vacuum of 10-5 torr and in a high-voltage environment of 30 kV. We observed that the extraction current increased linearly with RF power. We also confirmed that BF3 gas, which presents challenging conditions, was stably ionized in the ICP RF ion sources.

A CMOS-Compatible Process for ≥3 kV GaN Power HEMTs on 6-inch Sapphire Using In Situ SiN as the Gate Dielectric.

The application of GaN HEMTs on silicon substrates in high-voltage environments is significantly limited due to their complex buffer layer structure and the difficulty in controlling wafer warpage. In this work, we successfully fabricated GaN power HEMTs on 6-inch sapphire substrates using a CMOS-compatible process. A 1.5 µm thin GaN buffer layer with excellent uniformity and a 20 nm in situ SiN gate dielectric ensured uniformly distributed VTH and RON across the entire 6-inch wafer. The fabricated devices with an LGD of 30 µm and WG of 36 mm exhibited an RON of 18.06 Ω·mm and an off-state breakdown voltage of over 3 kV. The electrical mapping visualizes the high uniformity of RON and VTH distributed across the whole 6-inch wafer, which is of great significance in promoting the applications of GaN power HEMTs for medium-voltage power electronics in the future.

Study of LC oscillation based on excitation source of two-stage full-bridge structure

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance logging transmitting circuits must face the harsh operating environment of high voltage and high frequency. To reduce the voltage and current tolerated by the switching devices in the circuit and minimize the circuit loss, a high-frequency, high-voltage pulse transmitting circuit based on a two-stage full-bridge structure is designed in this paper. A new strategy for pulse excitation oscillation is proposed. The proposed strategy is based on the decision to end the excitation at the moment of peak voltage and the condition for limiting peak charging current (3.2). Finally, the circuit topology and excitation strategy proposed to achieve the overall optimal performance of sustained voltage oscillation with a peak voltage of 1180 V, precisely matching the transmitting frequency of 481 kHz and suppressing the charging current below 10 A.

Damage Effects and Mechanisms of High-Power Microwaves on Double Heterojunction GaN HEMT

In this paper, simulation modeling was carried out using Sentaurus Technology Computer-Aided Design. Two types of high electron mobility transistors (HEMT), an AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN double heterojunction and AlGaN/GaN single heterojunction, were designed and compared. The breakdown characteristics and damage mechanisms of the two devices under the injection of high-power microwaves (HPM) were studied. The variation in current density and peak temperature inside the device was analyzed. The effect of Al components at different layers of the device on the breakdown of HEMTs is discussed. The effect and law of the power damage threshold versus pulse width when the device was subjected to HPM signals was verified. It was shown that the GaN HEMT was prone to thermal breakdown below the gate, near the carrier channels. A moderate increase in the Al component can effectively increased the breakdown voltage of the device. Compared with the single heterojunction, the double heterojunction HEMT devices were more sensitive to Al components. The high domain-limiting characteristics effectively inhibited the overflow of channel electrons into the buffer layer, which in turn regulated the current density inside the device and improved the temperature distribution. The leakage current was reduced and the device switching characteristics and breakdown voltage were improved. Moreover, the double heterojunction device had little effect on HPM power damage and high damage resistance. Therefore, a theoretical foundation is proposed in this paper, indicating that double heterojunction devices are more stable compared to single heterojunction devices and are more suitable for applications in aviation equipment operating in high-frequency and high-voltage environments. In addition, double heterojunction GaN devices have higher radiation resistance than SiC devices of the same generation.

Multi-Gaussian distribution of barrier height in diamond-like carbon interfacial-layered Schottky devices

Pieces of information about the physical and electronic properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC) interfacial-layered Schottky devices are crucial because DLC is known for its durability against harsh conditions such as high voltage, high temperature, and radiative environments. Therefore, this study focused on determining some critical properties of DCL interlayered Schottky devices, such as current-conduction mechanisms (CCMs) and the shape of the barrier height of the device. Some graphics, such as n-ΦB0vs T, ΦB0vs n, ΦB0vs q/2kT, 1/n−1vs q/2kT, and ln(I0/T2-(qσs)/2k2T2vs kT/q were obtained from the temperature-dependent current-voltage (I–V-T) data to determine the shape of the barrier height (BH) and to understand CCMs of this MIS-type device. Obtained results revealed that the device exhibited different behaviours in three different temperature regions: 80–170 K, 200–290 K and 320–410 K, which were called Low Temperatures (LTs), Moderate Temperatures (MTs) and High Temperatures (HTs), respectively. It was also observed that all these graphs exhibited linear behaviour separately for these three temperature regions. Therefore, these results showed that the barrier shape of this DLC interlayered Schottky device is not homogeneous, and it has a Multi-Gaussian distribution due to three different linear behaviours. On the other hand, in addition to the Thermionic Emission (TE) mechanism, it was also understood that Field Emission (FE) and Thermionic Field Emission (TFE) mechanisms, known as Quantum Mechanical Tunnelling (QMT) mechanisms, were effective current conduction mechanisms, especially at low and moderate temperatures for this device.

Transmission line defect detection based on feature fusion

Transmission lines are the lifeblood of the power system, and regular line inspections are required to ensure the operation of transmission lines. However, due to the special high-voltage environment of transmission lines, the pictures collected by UAVs are characterized by many background interferences and small defect samples, and it is difficult to directly detect line inspection methods based on deep learning. For this reason, this paper proposes a high and low-dimensional fusion framework, which divides the target detection task into four modules, and greatly reduces the technical volume of the model while retaining the high-dimensional features through the collaboration between modules. This paper also introduces the window attention mechanism based on YOLOv7, which allows the model to focus on local information and improve the model’s detection ability on small targets and also introduces the Wise-IOU loss to improve the model’s prediction accuracy and inference time. Experiments prove that the method in this paper can significantly improve the accuracy of model prediction while meeting the speed requirements of industrial scenarios.

Development of High-Voltage Electrodes for Neutron Scattering Sample Environment Devices

The sample environment is essential to neutron scattering experiments as it induces the sample under study into a phase or state of particular interest. Various sample environments have been developed, yet the high-voltage electric field has rarely been documented. In this study, Bruce electrodes with various sectional geometries and chamber sizes were examined by using simulation modeling based on ANSYS Maxwell. A large uniform field region where samples would sit could be achieved in the planar region for all specifications, but the size of the region and the field strength varied with the gap distance between electrodes. The edging effect was inherently observed even for bare electrodes, about 1.7% higher in the sinusoidal region than the planar region, and was significantly deteriorated when a chamber was applied. This effect, however, presented an exponential decrease as the minimum distance between the electrode edge and the chamber shell increased. A compromise between the spatial confinement and the achievable field (strength and uniform region) could be reached according to the unique applicability of neutron instruments. This research provides a theoretical basis for the subsequent design and manufacturing of high-voltage sample environment devices.

An investigation into the short-circuit characteristics of Sic MOSFET power devices

Silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) devices exhibit substantial prospects for application under extreme operational conditions, including elevated temperatures, high voltages, and high frequencies. Nevertheless, owing to their distinctive material and structural attributes, SiC MOSFET devices are not devoid of challenges, with the short-circuit phenomenon constituting a pivotal avenue of inquiry. The short-circuit effect pertains to the abrupt escalation of leakage current that these devices might undergo under elevated voltage conditions, thereby exerting a perturbing influence on their stability and reliability. Investigations into the short-circuit effect predominantly revolve around two dimensions: one involves comprehending its underlying physical mechanisms, while the other centers on identifying commensurate remedial approaches.With respect to the underlying physical mechanisms, researchers have discerned that the elevated breakdown field strength and augmented carrier mobility intrinsic to SiC materials engender an augmentation in leakage current, consequently giving rise to the short-circuit effect. Furthermore, factors such as oxide layer anomalies and surface states are also conceivable catalysts for the surge in leakage current. To rectify this predicament, scholars have proffered a panoply of stratagems, encompassing the optimization of material synthesis processes, enhancement of oxide layer quality, refinement of device structural designs, and incorporation of protective circuitry, among others. In summation, the investigation of the short-circuit effect in silicon carbide MOSFET devices is fundamentally aimed at attaining an in-depth comprehension of its causative mechanisms. Moreover, it endeavors to proffer efficacious resolutions conducive to augmenting the reliability and steadfastness of these devices within high-temperature and high-voltage environments, thereby facilitating their widespread integration within the ambit of high-performance power electronics.

Fishing risky behavior recognition based on adaptive transformer, reinforcement learning and stochastic configuration networks

The fishing behavior in a high-voltage environment may lead to electric shock accidents. This paper proposes a fishing risky behavior recognition method based on adaptive Transformer, reinforcement learning and stochastic configuration networks (SCNs). Firstly, the fishing behavior image sample training set is evaluated using the actor network based on linear entropy in the reinforcement learning module to select suitable training samples that possess abundant straight-line elements. Subsequently, the selected training samples are fed into a multi-scale spatial deep convolution to extract continuous spatial features of elongated objects. The deformable Transformer network, enhanced with adaptive encoding and decoding layers through SCNs, is used to obtain the position and detection results of the fishing rod. The trained Transformer model is evaluated by a defined credibility evaluation metric for acquiring rewards to update the training sample set iteratively. Then, an adaptive adjustment mechanism is constructed for the encoding and decoding layers of the adaptive Transformer network to establish a library of adaptive Transformer models with different encoding and decoding layer levels to accommodate the feature requirements of training samples in various scenarios. Finally, the blending learning method for combining the detection results from the model library is integrated with human body object detection and pose estimation methods, and a predefined expert system is utilized for logic reasoning on fishing risky behavior. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in this paper.

Challenges with application of additive manufacturing in energy sector

Additive manufacturing (AM) is treated as a significant contributor to sustainability due to lower energy consumption, less material usage and reduced number of wastes generated when comparing with traditional manufacturing technologies. Currently there is a lot of commercial applications of such new technology in number of industry segments. However, such sector as high voltage engineering still struggles with number of challenges when considering additive manufacturing. In products working in high voltage environment, very often, in addition to mechanical loads there are demanding conditions, as elevated temperature and presence of insulation oil or gas. This requires a special approach to printing quality of the printed structures without internal voids and in case of metals, with improved electrical conductivity. In the paper, few examples of additive manufacturing applications in area of power products have been presented, including printed transformer insulation, printed copper, and application of AM for spare parts. For each case, the main challenges have been discussed.

Unveiling the molecular mechanism of 1,3,2-dioxathiolane 2,2-dioxide in a propylene carbonate-based battery electrolyte

Propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolytes are gaining attention as next-generation electrolytes for use in high-voltage and high-temperature environments due to their superior stability at high voltages and their wide operating temperature range. However, commercialization is challenged by the exfoliation of the graphite anode, which is caused by the co-intercalation of PC. Various additives have been devised to address this issue. 1,3,2-dioxathiolane 2,2-dioxide (DTD) exhibits outstanding capacity retention and lifespan characteristics in lithium-ion batteries in which PC-based electrolytes are used, but a molecular-level understanding of its operating mechanism remains elusive. According to our quantum static and dynamics calculations, the Li+ binding energy of DTD is much lower than that of PC, rendering its coordination ability insufficient to compete with PC. As a result, the neutral DTD does not play a role in favoring the desolvation of PC from the solvation structure. However, DTD is reduced prior to PC and shows a strong reduction tendency accompanied by ring-opening. Based on this, DTD in its anionic form participates in the Li+ solvation sheath through a solvent–additive exchange reaction to promote the desolvation of PC. We reveal that the use of the charges of the oxygen atoms bonded to Li+ ions to interpret the Li+–solvent binding energies is inappropriate. Instead, we suggest the electrostatic potential minimum (ESPMin) as a useful and powerful descriptor. This work provides insights into the molecular characteristics and mechanisms of additives that enable PC-based electrolytes, offering guidance for the development of new additives.

Sensitivity Analysis of Intensity-Modulated Plastic Optical Fiber Sensors for Effective Aging Detection in Rapeseed Transformer Oil.

As the focus tilts toward online detection methodologies for transformer oil aging, bypassing challenges associated with traditional offline methods, such as sample contamination and misinterpretation, fiber optic sensors are gaining traction due to their compact nature, cost-effectiveness, and resilience to electromagnetic disturbances that are typical in high-voltage environments. This study delves into the sensitivity analysis of intensity-modulated plastic optical fiber sensors. The investigation encompasses key determinants such as the influence of optical source wavelengths, noise response dynamics, ramifications of varying sensing lengths, and repeatability assessments. Our findings highlight that elongating sensing length detrimentally affects both linearity response and repeatability, largely attributed to a diminished resistance to noise. Additionally, the choice of the optical source wavelength proved to be a critical variable in assessing sensor sensitivity.