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

该提案寻求为阿肯色大学网站(LEAD)和南卡罗来纳大学网站进行的电网互联先进电力电子系统中心(GRPES)研究提供资金。基础研究的资金申请由NSF批准的请愿书授权，NSF 10-507。征集邀请研究所/大学合作研究中心提交支持行业定义的基础研究的建议。该项目的技术优势在于提高了基于GaN的全集成、全带隙、全隔离电力电子转换器的技术水平。这将在开关速度、体积缩小、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。这一根本性努力的成果有可能改变电力电子系统为众多智能电网和电力转换器应用而设计的方式。参与的大学教员团队非常有资格进行该项目，他们得到了来自行业成员的有能力和有知识的专业人员的支持。这是一项构思精良的创造性建议，因为它采取了一种实际的、概念验证的方法来解决问题。这两所大学都拥有出色的设施来完成各自的研究任务。如果他们的方法被证明成功地开发出了更集成、更便宜和更高效的电力电子产品，用于变流器和电网应用，那么拟议的项目可能会产生巨大的社会影响。该研究计划吸引了研究生参与研究工作，并将对本科生产生影响。许多参与的学生预计将来自代表人数较少的少数群体。研究成果将广泛分发，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.