ASCENT: Platforms for Integrated/Isolated Optical Power Transfer (PI2-OPT) for Multi-Scale Power and Energy Systems

宽带隙和超宽带隙（WBG/UWBG）功率半导体器件在从电动汽车到电网接口电力电子的各种应用中具有显著的优势。然而，这些系统受到一些挑战和瓶颈的影响。值得注意的是，WBG器件通常在高压下工作，通常在浮置或隔离域中;它们还需要高频和精确的控制，重要的是，需要一种为浮置和隔离栅极驱动器供电的方法。然而，传统的隔离式栅极驱动器依赖于电磁隔离，其难以缩放到小尺寸，是昂贵的、有损耗的，并且易于受到电磁干扰。这项工作将满足未来高压（HV），恶劣环境电力电子设备对隔离功率传输的需求，例如可用于WBG/UWBG栅极驱动器以及相关的传感器，换能器和嵌入式控制器。具体而言，该项目将开发使用集成/隔离光学无线功率传输的平台，作为在未来高压电力电子设备中提供功率和数据（用于控制，反馈和故障检测）的手段。更小、更快、光学隔离的电源和信号接口可能会在一系列现代电力和能源系统中产生更广泛的影响，从可再生能源和电气化运输到性能计算和通信基础设施。该项目还将通过在关键需求领域培训研究生和本科生，整合研究和教学，并通过有组织的传播和推广将研究与K-12学生和公众联系起来，来提供劳动力发展。该项目将由一个跨学科团队完成，该团队利用半导体设计，光学和光子学，电力电子和集成电路方面的技能。该项目旨在最大限度地发挥协同作用，并探索这些学科边界的挑战。具体来说，在这项提案中，我们将1）研究和优化具有高效单色隔离功率传输的单芯片和多芯片光电模式光功率和信号接收器; 2）开发可以通过光捕获和光子回收来改善光子捕获的纳米光子学和封装结构; 3）设计一种伪绝热开关电容栅极驱动器，其可以提高光电系统效率，降低总栅极驱动功率，并提供局部控制，诊断和通信; 4）开发kV级隔离封装、集成和组装方案，结合联合收割机OPT和IC功能; 5）完成高压混合开关电容DC-DC转换器原型的最终系统演示。通过使用系统方法，我们的目标是证明光功率与专门定制的集成电子器件相结合可以提高效率，同时减小尺寸，并为高压和恶劣环境的电力和能源系统提供新的方向和机会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Wide and ultrawide bandgap (WBG/UWBG) power semiconductor devices have significant benefits in a variety of applications from electric vehicles to grid-interface power electronics. However, these systems are subject to a number of challenges and bottlenecks. Notably, WBG devices typically operate at high-voltages, often in floating or isolated domains; they also require high-frequency and accurate control and, importantly, a means to power floating and isolated gate drivers. However, conventional isolated gate drivers rely on electromagnetic isolation which scales poorly to small size, is expensive, lossy, and prone to electromagnetic interference. This work will address the needs of future high-voltage (HV), harsh-environment power electronics for isolated power transfer such as can be used for WBG/UWBG gate drivers as well as associated sensors, transducers, and embedded controllers. Specifically, this project will develop platforms which use integrated/isolated optical-wireless power transfer as a means to deliver both power and data (for control, feedback, and fault detection) in future HV power electronics. Smaller, faster, optically isolated power and signal interfaces may have broader impacts in a range of modern power and energy systems from renewable energy and electrified transportation to performance computing and communications infrastructure. The project will also provide workforce development through training of graduate and undergraduate students in critical areas of need, integration of research and teaching, and connecting research to k-12 students and the general public through organized dissemination and outreach.The project will be completed by an interdisciplinary team that leverages skills in semiconductor design, optics and photonics, power electronics, and integrated circuits. The project is designed to maximize synergies and explore challenges at the boundaries of these disciplines. Specifically, in this proposal we will 1) study and optimize single- and multi-chip photovoltaic-mode optical power and signal receivers with high-efficiency monochromatic isolated power transfer; 2) develop nanophotonics and package structures that can improve photon capture via light trapping and photon recycling; 3) design a pseudo-adiabatic switched capacitor gate-driver that can increase optoelectronic system efficiency, reduce overall gate-drive power, and provide local control, diagnostics, and communication; 4) develop kV-level isolated packaging, integration, and assembly schemes that combine OPT and IC functions; 5) complete a final system demonstration of a HV hybrid switched capacitor DC-DC converter prototype. By using a system approach, we aim to show that optical power combined with specifically tailored, integrated electronics can increase efficiency, while reducing size, and enable new directions and opportunities in high-voltage and harsh-environment power and energy systems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.