Boundary-engineered nanocomposites (BENCs) as high-frequency inductors for shipboard and airborne Na
Abstract
Approved for Public ReleaseResearch problem/objective ONR has proposed the development of the Power Electronic Power Distribution Sy,stem (PEPDS). PEPDS is a power, energy, and control distribution concept involving the design and operation of a megawatt test bed a,t frequencies up to and beyond 500 kHz. However, severe deficiencies exist in commercial off the shelf (COTS) inductor materials nec,essary to handle high power densities at frequencies from several hundred kHz to a few MHz. To address the wide variety of Navy, and, Navy-after-next, power electronics needs, including those of PEPDS, the Harris Team of Northeastern University proposes the develop,ment of a new class of inductor composite materials that provide enhanced efficiencies and outstanding magnetic, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties for high-power operation in extreme environments common to many DOD applications. The outline to the uppe,r right provides an outline to guide the reader through this document.Technical approachesWe propose here a technology entailing the, nanoengineering of composites having highly tailored morphologies and interfaces that provide a magnetization > 0.5 T to meet the p,ower density and SWAP needs of the ONR PEPDS program while sustaining high and adjustable permeability with ultralow loss performanc,e in the challenging sea environment.The proposed new composite materials are based on nanoengineering of grain boundaries of high m,agnetization polycrystalline ferrites by the collocation of insulating inclusions to grain boundary regions that act to disrupt eddy, currents thereby suppressing high frequency power dissipation. Since these inclusions are both insulating and magnetic, the magneti,c path from grain to grain remains largely uninterrupted allowing for long-range phenomena such as magnetism, Curie temperature and,permeability to remain high. Anticipated outcome These advanced inductor composites are adaptable to PEPDS architectures embracing s,ize weight and power (SWAP+C2, where C2 represent cost and cooling) principles and provide the NAVY with thermally and mechanically,stable electrical and magnetic properties required to withstand the challenging mechanical, thermal, and corrosive environments comm,on to naval shipboard and airborne platforms while providing exceptional performance.Impact on DoD capabilitiesThe U.S. Defense comm,unity has invested heavily over the last three decades in more electric platforms such as the USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), the F35C Joi,nt Strike Fighter (CV/CATOBAR), the Armys Electric JLTV (EV-Joint Light Tactical Vehicle), as well as pulsed power for active denia,l and electronic warfare and counter EW systems, among others. The successful execution of this R&D program will provide the necessa,ry inductor materials absent in COTS products to meet Navy needs in areas of power storage, conversion, and conditioning at critical, frequencies from 100s kHz to greater than 1 MHz thus allowing for the progress of power electronic systems in support of PEPDS and,other vital Navy shipboard and airborne systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212334
Entities
People
- Vincent G. Harris
Organizations
- Northeastern University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy