Power Electronics Research Articles

Ultrahigh Efficiency and Robust Energy Density in Simple Barium Titanate-Based Lead-Free Films via Nanocomposite Approach.

Relaxor ferroelectric (RFE) films represent promising candidates for high-performance energy storage applications for miniaturized electronic devices and power systems. However, achieving substantial energy storage performance always involves complex component or structural design. Herein, we employed a nanocomposite approach to obtain ultrahigh-efficiency and robust energy density in simple BaTiO3-based lead-free films. Our lead-free composition of simple (1-x)BaTiO3-xCeO2 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) contains only four elements (Ba, Ti, Ce and O). The incorporation of stiff and insulating CeO2 nanocomposites within BaTiO3 matrix could disrupt the long-range-ordered micrometer-size domains into short-range-ordered nanodomains. This disruption suppresses hysteresis and delays polarization of BaTiO3 films. Combined with the enhanced breakdown strength, this formulation yielded an ultrahigh efficiency of ≈90% and a robust energy density of 45 ± 3 Jcm-3 at CeO2 contents of x = 0.3 and 0.4. Meanwhile, these two films with x = 0.3 and 0.4 exhibit superior frequency (50 Hz to 2 kHz) and thermal stability (20 °C to 120 °C), demonstrating stable energy storage performance. The proposed strategy opens up a new avenue for designing high-performance nanocomposite films by incorporating stiff secondary phase embedded in BaTiO3 or even linear SrTiO3 dielectrics.

A single-phase seven-level switched capacitor with common ground inverter and improved phase-shift modulation technique.

Lately, transformer-less Researchers in the fields of power electronics and renewable energy have taken notice of photovoltaic inverters because of their great efficiency, low cost, and small size. However, higher efficiency typically results in more components, making the inverter costly and bulky. This article proposes a single-phase seven-level transformer-less with common ground topology. The proposed topology utilizes 10 switches, 4 capacitors and 1 diode. This article also suggests an improved Phase Shift (PS) Modulation Technique which reduces overall losses. When implemented with improved Phase Shift (PS), the total highest attainable efficiency of the proposed topology is 98.05% at 15W. The THD% of voltage harmonics is reduced to 15.29% from 17.20% and for current harmonics is reduced to 5.07% from 10.15%. The reliability of the proposed inverter has also been analyzed. The simulation as well as hardware results have been presented to validate the performance of the proposed inverter.

High-performance Cu–Cu interconnects attained through air sintering of oleylamine-capped Cu nanoparticles for power electronics packaging

High-performance Cu–Cu interconnects attained through air sintering of oleylamine-capped Cu nanoparticles for power electronics packaging

A Positive Output Buck-Boost Converter with Extensive Linear Conversion Ratio Adjustment Range

The article introduces a non-isolated positive output buck-boost converter that is capable of operating across a wide duty cycle range. The converter exhibits low nonlinearity in its voltage gain relative to D, thereby enhancing its capability to regulate output voltage or effectively regulate current over a broad duty cycle spectrum. A comparison of the performance of the proposed converter with existing converters is presented, with a particular consideration of the DC gain, voltage and current stresses on switches and diodes, and inductor currents. The comprehensive calculations include ideal and practical voltage gains, current assessments, stress analysis on components, parameter design, efficiency, and brief discussions on the discontinuous conduction mode and boundary conditions. The converter exhibits peak efficiencies of approximately 98.98% in boost mode and 99.16% in buck mode, which represent a notable advancement in power electronics. It is noteworthy that the converter displays minimal current and voltage overshoot in buck mode with a conversion ratio below 3. The overshoot relative to the normalized current is less than 1, reaching a minimum of 0.21, while the voltage overshoot is as low as 0.51. This contributes to superior buck mode efficiency. A laboratory model was developed with great care to validate the converter's experimental outcomes and theoretical evaluations. This provides reassurance about the reliability of the research.

Removal of Metasilicate from Aqueous Solutions with Hybrid Polymer-enhanced Ultrafiltration-electrodeionization Membrane Processes

Background: In desalination, addressing fouling challenges, particularly concerning silica, is pivotal for generating pure water from seawater and brackish sources. Efficient silica removal is vital for various applications, including power generation and electronics. Electrodeionization (EDI) has proven highly effective in achieving a high removal rate for silica. Objective: Optimize silica removal through a combined membrane approach—water-soluble polymer- enhanced ultrafiltration and Electrodeionization (EDI)—for efficient water treatment and improved water quality. Methods: The study utilized a 400 mL stirred Amicon cell for Ultrafiltration (UF) in combination with a water-soluble polymer. Additionally, a microflow EDI cell is employed, filled with Porolite A600 anion exchange resin and SST60 cation exchange resin, to optimize silica removal. Results: The water-soluble polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration achieved a 25% removal of SiO2, with the remaining silica effectively removed by EDI, resulting in a concentration of 11 μg/L. Conclusion: The combined approach of water-soluble polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration and Electrodeionization (EDI) demonstrated effective silica removal.

High capacitive energy storage in K0.5Bi0.5TiO3-based quaternary solid solution around morphotropic relaxor boundary

Energy storage capacitors are valued for their high power density and ultrafast discharging rates, positioning them as promising candidates for advanced electronic systems and pulse power technologies. This study developed a KBT-based solid solution composed of K0.5Bi0.5TiO3, Na0.5Bi0.5ZrO3, K0.5Bi0.5ZrO3, and Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3, located near a morphotropic relaxor boundary. This configuration results in a perovskite host with both high structural entropy and enhanced polarization capability. The incorporation of Bi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 not only modifies the dynamic behavior of polar nanoregions but also increases the resistance contribution from the grain boundary, thereby improving the electrical breakdown strength Eb. Optimal polarization behavior and energy storage performance were achieved with 1.0 mol.% Bi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 addition, resulting in a large field-induced polarization ΔP of 55.3 µC/cm2, a high recoverable energy density Wr of 6.52 J/cm3, and a high efficiency η of 80%. Overall, this work proposed a design strategy for developing KBT-based ceramics for energy storage capacitors.

Fundamentals of Modeling and Simulation Techniques for Power Electronics

Fundamentals of Modeling and Simulation Techniques for Power Electronics

An Efficient Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker With Mechanical and Power Electronics Based on Current Commutation

An Efficient Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker With Mechanical and Power Electronics Based on Current Commutation

Analysis and Optimization of DC-DC Converters Through Sensitivity to Parametric Variations

The optimization of DC-DC converters is crucial for enhancing their performance and efficiency in various applications. This study focuses on the sensitivity analysis of DC-DC converters to parametric variations, which plays a key role in designing robust and efficient systems. The methodology involves developing a simulation model that describes the behavior of converters under different conditions and analyzing the effects of parameter variations through simulation tools. Sensitivity analysis of DC-DC converters involves understanding the sources of harmonics, modeling the converter, analyzing the harmonic content, and implementing mitigation techniques. By combining theoretical analysis with practical design modifications, engineers can optimize DC-DC converters for improved performance, efficiency, and compliance with electromagnetic compatibility standards. Examples of harmonic analysis of the main types of DC-DC converters—Buck, Boost, and Buck-Boost—are discussed in the manuscript. Based on a study of the influence of harmonics in the operating modes, ratios have been derived to be applied during design. In this respect, the research presented is useful for designers and for use in power electronics education.

Recap of the 29th ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design (ISLPED’24)

Recap of the 29th ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design (ISLPED’24)

Magnetic Field-Accelerated Nonthermal Plasma Digestion for Field Pretreatment and Determination of Heavy Metals in Biological Samples.

Field analysis of heavy metals in biological samples is essential for assessing their potential threats to human health. The development of portable pretreatment and detection devices is crucial to address this challenge. Herein, a magnetic field-accelerated nonthermal plasma digestion device using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is designed for the rapid and environmentally friendly pretreatment of biological samples and subsequently combined with point discharge-optical emission spectrometry (PD-OES) for sensitive determination of heavy metals. With the assistance of a magnetic field, the DBD plasma digestion of a batch of six samples using a H2O + H2O2 + HNO3 system can be completed within 25-40 min, achieving the digestion efficiencies of 92-99%. The application of magnetic field enhances the electron density, excitation temperature, discharge current, and power of the DBD plasma, thereby reducing the digestion time by 40-69%. The determination of heavy metals in the digestion solution is directly performed using a miniature injection-detector based on hydride generation-PD-OES. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits for Pb, Sb, Sn, and Bi are 2.4-8.2 μg L-1 (0.048-0.16 mg kg-1), with precisions of <5%. The accuracy and practicability of the present device are verified by measuring several certified reference materials, including GBW10023 (laver) and GBW10044 (rice), and real rice, laver, fish, milk, and blood samples. With its advantages of environmental sustainability, short digestion time, compact size, and lightweight design, the present device provides a simple and efficient tool for field analysis of toxic elements in biological samples.

Selective Undercut of Undoped Optical Membranes for Spin-Active Color Centers in 4H- Silicon Carbide.

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a semiconductor used in quantum information processing, microelectromechanical systems, photonics, power electronics, and harsh environment sensors. However, its high-temperature stability, high breakdown voltage, wide bandgap, and high mechanical strength are accompanied by a chemical inertness, which makes complex micromachining difficult. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) etching is a simple, rapid means of wet processing SiC, including the use of dopant-selective etch stops that take advantage of the mature SiC homoepitaxy. However, dopant-selective PEC etching typically relies on highly doped material, which poses challenges for device applications such as quantum defects and photonics that benefit from low doping to produce robust emitter properties and high optical transparency. In this work, we develop a selective PEC process that relies not on high doping but on the electrical depletion of a fabricated diode structure, allowing the selective etching of an n-doped substrate wafer versus an undoped epitaxial (carrier density of 1(10)14 cm-3) device layer. We characterize the photoresponse and PEC behavior of the diode under bias and use those insights to suspend large (100 × 100 μm) undoped membranes of SiC. We further characterize the compatibility of membranes with quantum emitters, performing comparative spin spectroscopy between undoped and highly doped membrane structures, finding the use of undoped material improves ensemble spin lifetime by >5×. This work enables the fabrication of high-purity suspended thin films suitable for scalable photonics, mechanics, and quantum technologies in SiC.

Towards a Unified Temporal and Event Logic Paradigm for Multi-Hop Path Reasoning in Knowledge Graphs

Path reasoning in knowledge graphs is a pivotal task for uncovering complex relational patterns and facilitating advanced inference processes. It also holds significant potential in domains such as power electronics, where real-time reasoning over dynamic, evolving data is essential for advancing topology design and application systems. Despite its importance, traditional approaches often encounter substantial limitations when applied to dynamic, time-sensitive scenarios. These models typically fail to adequately capture intricate logical dependencies and demonstrate suboptimal performance in data-constrained environments. To address these challenges, we introduce Path-Reasoning Logic (PRlogic), an innovative framework that seamlessly integrates rule-based logical reasoning with cutting-edge neural network methodologies. PRlogic enhances path inference by leveraging a context-aware logical association network adept at handling temporal and event-driven attributes, enabling improved reasoning for dynamic systems such as IoT-based power electronics and smart grids. This adaptability allows the framework to better accommodate evolving knowledge structures, significantly improving reasoning accuracy under resource-scarce conditions. Furthermore, PRlogic employs a multi-stage refinement strategy, harmonizing logic-based rules with learned contextual representations to achieve heightened robustness and scalability. Comprehensive experiments on widely-recognized benchmark datasets validate the superiority of PRlogic, demonstrating its consistent outperformance of existing models in path reasoning tasks. These results underscore the efficacy of incorporating logic-driven mechanisms into knowledge graph reasoning and highlight PRlogic’s potential as a powerful solution for applications in dynamic data environments.

Monolithic on-chip integration of micro-thin film thermocouples on multifinger gallium oxide MOSFETs

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3), with its ultra-wide bandgap (&amp;gt;4.5 eV), is a key material for the next-generation power electronics due to its high breakdown voltage and efficient power-switching capabilities. Multifinger (MF) Ga2O3 MOSFETS, designed to enhance current handling and thermal management, experience significant self-heating effects that can lead to localized hotspots, thermal runaway, and reduced device reliability. Accurate thermal characterization is therefore critical to ensure the reliable operation and longevity of such devices. Conventional methods, such as thermoreflectance imaging, Raman thermometry, and infrared thermography, are limited by complex setups, slow response times, resolution constraints, and cost, making them less practical for real-time, on-chip applications. On-chip thermal characterization directly at the active regions of the device provides an unparalleled opportunity to overcome these limitations by capturing localized temperature variations during operation. In this study, we demonstrate the integration of micro-thin film thermocouples (micro-TFTCs) onto multifinger Ga2O3 MOSFETs for precise, real-time, and localized thermal monitoring. The sensors captured temperature variations across different gate fingers, with the measured maximum channel temperature reaching 40.5 °C under peak power dissipation. Predicted thermal behavior under high power densities shows temperatures rising to approximately 80 °C at 5 W/mm2, illustrating the thermal challenges faced by Ga2O3 devices. This work demonstrates that micro-TFTCs are not only compatible with complex device architectures but also highly effective for localized thermal characterization, making them a promising tool for improving the thermal management and reliability of Ga2O3-based power electronics.

Enhanced breakdown strength and reduced polarization hysteresis in relaxor ferroelectric polymers with increased gamma phase content for energy storage capacitors

Polymer dielectric energy storage capacitors play a vital role in modern electronic and electrical power systems, particularly in high-voltage environments. However, achieving both high energy density and charge–discharge efficiency presents a significant challenge for next-generation applications that demand miniaturization and compact design. In this study, we present relaxor ferroelectric terpolymers with an increased gamma (γ)-phase content, prepared through a facile and scalable interfacial engineering approach that incorporates ultra-low amounts of graphene oxide. The γ-phase crystals in the terpolymer reduce hysteresis losses and generate numerous deep traps, resulting in enhanced performance. These terpolymers achieve a high energy density of up to 15.2 J/cm3 and an improved breakdown strength of 562 MV/m, representing enhancements of 62% and 39.8%, respectively, compared to the pristine terpolymer. The results suggest that tuning the phase structure of relaxor ferroelectric terpolymers offers a pathway to developing ferroelectric polymers with enhanced energy density and charge–discharge efficiency for energy storage capacitors.

Electronic Equipment Power Usage Control and Monitoring System in the Home Internet Of Things (IOT) Based

The objectives of this study are (1) to achieve energy efficiency and cost savings (2) Internet of Things (IoT)-based control and monitoring systems using Node MCU ESP32 as a data processing center (3) enabling data processing from PZEM-004T sensors and sending control commands to solid state relays (SSR) based on user input via a website application. The implementation of this system shows significant potential in reducing energy consumption and costs in households. With real-time feedback on energy consumption, users can make wiser decisions about the use of electronic equipment, thereby reducing energy waste. Remote control capabilities allow users to manage electronic equipment more effectively, improve security, and reduce unnecessary energy consumption. This study shows that manual electricity usage reaches 9.59%, while with the implementation of the IoT system it is only 5.49%, so there is a saving in electricity consumption of 4.1%. This proves that the IoT system is more effective and efficient in managing the power consumption of electronic equipment.

Design and Implementation of Two-phase Boost Inverter using Interleaved Method to Increase Output Current

The advancement of technology is rapidly evolving, particularly in the field of electronics, namely power electronics. One of the applications is the use of new and renewable energy. The converters required in new and renewable energy are inverters with good quality and performance. The step-down (buck) inverter is commonly used in this application. Different from the normal inverter, the step up (boost) inverter is proposed to be analyzed, simulated, and implemented in this paper. The proposed inverter uses a two-phase interleaved boost inverter (TP DC-AC IBI) consisting of a full bridge inverter and dual AC-AC interleaved boost converter. The inverter part always converts DC voltage to AC voltage, while the dual AC-AC interleaved boost converter part serves to increase the output voltage. The inverter consists of three arms: the first and second arms are controlled by Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) using 180° phase-shifted carrier signal, and the third arm is controlled by a zero-crossing detector. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is used to control dual AC-AC interleaved boost converter. By combining this inverter with dual AC-AC interleaved boost converter, a new topology is created. This study specifically investigated the strategy to control this new topology using current controls. The actual current was obtained by installing an HX-10P current sensor on the output side. The output current was compared with the reference current, and the next stage was controlled using a proportional plus integral controller. The control signals output was modulated using SPWM signals on the inverter side and PWM at the AC-AC interleaved boost converter side to drive many power switches. To guarantee that the desired current control can always be achieved, the actual current and reference current must always match. The proportional plus integral controller was chosen due to its simplicity, high accuracy, and quick response time. The analysis involved verifying simulation tests using Power Simulator (PSIM) software. The hardware implementation was conducted in the laboratory and tested using standardized equipment. A couple of inductors were installed to reduce harmonic current on the output side and obtained THD of 3.3%, which according to the IEEE 519-2014, has met the standard as it was less than 5%. Thus, this new topology can be used in new and renewable energy for its good performance.

Low-Loss Soft Magnetic Materials and Their Application in Power Conversion: Progress and Perspective

Amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys, as novel soft magnetic materials, can enable high efficiency in a wide range of power conversion techniques. Their wide application requires a thorough understanding of the fundamental material mechanisms, typical characteristics, device design, and applications. The first part of this review briefly overviews the development of amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys, including the structures of soft magnetic composites (SMCs), the key performance, and the underlying property-structure correction mechanisms. The second part discusses three kinds of high-power conversion applications of amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys, such as power electronics transformers (PETs), high-power inductors, and high-power electric motors. Further detailed analysis of these materials and applications are reviewed. Finally, some critical issues and future challenges for material tailoring, device design, and power conversion application are also highlighted.

Easy and Straightforward FPGA Implementation of Model Predictive Control Using HDL Coder

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is widely adopted for power electronics converters due to its ability to optimize system performance under dynamic constraints. However, its FPGA implementation remains challenging due to the complexity of Hardware Description Language (HDL) programming. This paper addresses this challenge by introducing a straightforward methodology that simplifies FPGA implementation using MATLAB Simulink HDL Coder. It is shown that HDL Coder yields favorable synthesis outcomes, both in terms of area and time, compared to hand-coded HDL. Notably, the proposed method achieves a significantly reduced sampling step for the MPC algorithm—down to 32 ns—marking a substantial improvement over state-of-the-art implementations. The Integrated Logic Analyzer (ILA) IP available in the Vivado tool is used during the HIL testing phase to facilitate the real-time observation and analysis required for debugging and confirming the FPGA-implemented controller performance. Additionally, this paper discusses the advantages of utilizing HDL Coder for simplifying the FPGA programming process in power electronics applications and addresses the design challenges encountered using this methodology.

Wide-bandgap semiconductors and power electronics as pathways to carbon neutrality

Wide-bandgap semiconductors and power electronics as pathways to carbon neutrality