I/UCRC - GOALI Fundamental Research: Gallium Nitride Optical Isolation for Wide Bandgap Power Electronic Systems

该提案为由阿肯色大学和南卡罗来纳大学进行的并网先进电力电子系统中心（GRAPES）研究寻求资金。基础研究的资金申请由NSF批准的征求授权，NSF 10-507。本次招标邀请I/ ucrc提交支持行业定义基础研究的提案。这个项目的技术优势在于推进了基于氮化镓的全集成、全宽带隙、全隔离的电力电子变换器的技术水平。这将在开关速度、体积减小、功率密度、工作温度、效率和抗干扰性方面产生新的最先进的边界。最终，这些技术将应用于并网系统。这项基础性工作的成果有可能改变电力电子系统的设计方式，以适应众多智能电网和电力转换器的应用。参与的大学教师团队非常有资格进行这个项目，他们得到了他们行业成员中有能力和知识渊博的专业人士的支持。这是一个构思良好的创造性建议，因为它采用了一种实际的、概念验证的方法来解决问题。两所大学都配备了完善的设施来完成各自的研究任务。如果他们的方法被证明能够成功地为变流器和电网应用开发更集成、更便宜、更高效的电力电子设备，那么拟议中的项目有可能产生巨大的社会影响。该研究计划让研究生参与研究工作，并将对本科生产生影响。预计许多参与的学生将来自代表性不足的少数群体。研究结果将广泛分发，并直接传达给主要行业代表。

This proposal seeks funding for the Center for Grid Connected Advanced Power Electronics Systems (GRAPES) studies conducted by the University of Arkansas site (lead) and the University of South Carolina site. Funding Requests for Fundamental Research are authorized by an NSF approved solicitation, NSF 10-507. The solicitation invites I/UCRCs to submit proposals for support of industry-defined fundamental research. The technical merit of this project is in advancing the state of the art in fully-integrated, fullywide-bandgap, fully-isolated power electronic converters based on GaN. This will produce new state-of-the-art boundaries in switching speeds, volumetric reduction, power density, temperature of operation, efficiency, and immunity to interference. Eventually, these technologies will be applied to grid-connected systems. The outcome from this fundamental effort has the potential for transforming how power electronic systems are designed for numerous smart-grid and power converter applications. The team of participating university faculty is very well qualified to conduct the project and they are supported by capable and knowledgeable professionals from their industry members. It is a creative proposal that is well conceived in that it takes a practical, proof-of-concept approach to the problem. Both universities are well equipped with excellent facilities to perform their respective research tasks.The proposed project has the potential to make a huge societal impact if their approach is proven successful for the development of more integrated, less expensive and more efficient power electronics for converter and power grid applications. The research plan engages graduate students in the research effort and will have an influence on undergraduate students as well. Many of the participating students are expected to come from underrepresented minority groups. The research results will be distributed broadly and communicated directly to key industry representatives.