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

宽禁带和超宽带隙(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都具有显著的优势。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器件通常在高电压下工作，通常在浮动或隔离区域；它们还需要高频和精确的控制，更重要的是，需要一种为浮动和隔离栅极驱动器供电的方法。然而，传统的隔离栅驱动器依赖于电磁隔离，这种隔离可伸缩性差，尺寸小，价格昂贵，有损耗，并且容易受到电磁干扰。这项工作将满足未来高压(HV)、恶劣环境下的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传感器、传感器和嵌入式控制器。具体地说，该项目将开发使用集成/隔离光-无线功率传输作为在未来高压电力电子设备中同时传输功率和数据(用于控制、反馈和故障检测)的平台。更小、更快、光隔离的电力和信号接口可能会在从可再生能源和电气化交通到性能计算和通信基础设施的一系列现代电力和能源系统中产生更广泛的影响。该项目旨在最大限度地发挥协同作用，探索这些学科边界上的挑战。

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.