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*STTR Project:  An Advanced Power Converter System Using High Temperature, High Power Density SiC Devices—Aegis Technology, 3300 Westminster Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92703; 714-265-1238

Dr. Timothy Lin, Principal Investigator, aegiste1400@earthlink.net  

Mr. Bob Liu, Business Official, aegiste1400@earthlink.net    

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER86234

Amount:  $99,898

Research Institution

University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Knoxville, TN 

Electronic power conversion systems (PCS) introduce major cost and reliability issues in most distributed energy resources and energy storage systems.  Devices based on silicon carbide (SiC), which have gained a lot of recent interest, offer the advantages of high efficiency, small size and light weight.  This project will develop a power converter, based on these emerging SiC  power devices, which would be capable of operation at high power density, high temperature, and high frequency.  In particular, system benefits will be quantified and issues related to SiC circuit design, packaging, and reliability will be addressed.  Phase I will demonstrate technical feasibility by:  (1) conducting circuit design and power module/converter modeling to evaluate the effects of SiC devices on the thermal management of a converter system; (2) developing high-temperature, high-heat-flux packaging; and (3) constructing and demonstrating a prototye SiC power converter.  

Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee:  In addition to the application for distributed energy resources, robust, space saving, economically priced, high performance SiC-based power modules should find application in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, and in power inverters/converters and actuator controllers used in industry and in military ships/vehicles.