Our Research Projects

“Demonstration of a Medium Voltage Power Module for High Density Conversion” Task 4.6:Pwr Amer-Hopkins- BP-2

Douglas C Hopkins, Ola L. Harrysson, & Subhashish Bhattacharya
06/15/2016 - 06/30/2020

The SuperCascode Power Module (SCPM) is a new approach to high voltage switches introduced by USCi. Inc. The SCPM uses a series string of SiC JFETs in a cascode configuration switched with a Si MOSFET. This one year project shall develop a medium voltage (MV) 6.5kV/50A/100A SCPM with extension to 200A, and a continuous Full-Power emulation Test Platform (FPTP) based on the ERC concept, which shall demonstrate full-power in-situ performance of the SCPM.

Asynchronous Microgrid Power Conditioning System (Microgrid PCS) Connector To Microgrid

Subhashish Bhattacharya, John F. Muth, & Daniel D Stancil
12/01/2014 - 06/30/2020

The objective of BP4-4.11 task is to develop an Asynchronous Microgrid Power Conditioning System which can be modular MVAC (13.8 kV AC) to MVAC (4,160 V AC and 13.8 kV AC) power conditioning system blocks (PCSB) that can be used for grid interconnection of Megawattscale power flow control microgrids (asynchronous MVAC microgrids). The PCSBs shall have bidirectional
power flow capability and be scalable so that they can be used for a broad range of power flow control microgrids of different scale (100 kW to multi-MW) including microgrids that have net generation or net load power flow at the point of connection to the larger grid. This bi- directional
power flow solution should be 60 Hz transformer-less. This modular app roach is intended to result in higher-volume, lower-cost power electronics building blocks that service many applications at standard voltages: 4,160 V AC and 13.8 kV AC. This Microgrid PCS solution should enable multi-port
integration of renewable energy sources to the main grid. The overall efficiency of the Microgrid PCS should be > 98% and with low/partial load ( 95%.

PowerAmerica Husain Task 4.12

Wensong Yu, Iqbal Husain, & John F. Muth
12/01/2014 - 06/30/2020

Task 5.16 PowerAmerica budget period 4

ROTC Research Experiences in Naval Electronic Warfare (RENEW)

Jacob James Adams, Michael B. Steer, & David Ricketts
09/30/2019 - 09/29/2020

A program providing research experiences and workshops in electronic warfare will be provided to ROTC cadets at NC State University and at neighboring colleges with the aim of presenting EW-focused workshops to all ROTC cadets at NC State University and close-by institutions. We will develop a research program for ROTC cadets in Electrical Engineering during the semester for NC State-based cadets and during the summer available to any US ROTC cadet. The emphasis will be on research experiences in wireless communication, radios, radars and sensors with the level of experience adapted to background. Students will learn how the range of architectures used in radios, radars and sensors; their vulnerabilities; how to identify vulnerabilities, and how they can be adapted to mitigate effects.

EAGER: Curricula Development of a Quantum Programming Class with Hardware Access

Frank Mueller, Patrick Dreher, & Gregory T. Byrd
09/01/2019 - 08/31/2020

Quantum Computing (QC) has reached an early state of device maturity
with the availability of several hardware platforms and corresponding
programming environments. The potential of QC is significant as
algorithms, such as Shor’s prime factoring, have
the potential to break the barriers of classical complexity
classes and thus provide “quantum supremacy” for such algorithms.

We propose to create a curriculum for a quantum programming class with
access to cutting-edge quantum computing platforms. Specifically, we
propose to utilize cloud-based access to one gate-based platform and
one annealing-based platform to provide hands-on experience with
programming actual quantum hardware. Curricular material will include
the fundamentals in physics and mathematics required to understand
quantum computing, introductory material to the quantum field, and
programming environments for two cloud-based platforms. We also
propose to develop training material suitable for tutorials at major
conferences/symposia across different fields as well as online courses
for faculty, staff and students. As a means to gauge success, the
suitability of the material will be thoroughly evaluated statistically
via surveys at the end of educational units for both classes and tutorials.

SCH: INT: Collaborative Research: A Data-Driven Approach for Enhancing Wearable Device Performance – A Study on Early Detection of Asthma Exacerbation

Edgar J Lobaton, Alper Yusuf Bozkurt
09/01/2019 - 08/31/2023

Our main goals are to: (1) develop a statistically-sound data-driven framework for signal quality characterization of wearable devices in the real-world; and (2) use this framework for enhancing algorithmic developments and hardware design. Current approaches depend on rules or indicators derived from expert knowledge in controlled environments, so they do not generalize well to the use at-home. Our main application will be the early asthma exacerbation detection. We aim to employ the prototypes designed by the NSF-ERC ASSIST center, which aims to develop nano-enabled energy harvesting, energy storage, nanodevices and sensors to create innovative battery-free, body-powered, and wearable health monitoring systems.

NSF Student Travel Support for the 27th IEEE International Conference on Network Protocols (IEEE ICNP 2019)

Wenye Wang
08/15/2019 - 07/31/2020

This proposal is to request travel funding for students at
U.S. institutions to attend the 27th IEEE International Conference on Network Protocols, Chicago, Illinois, USA, October 7-10, 2019.

EAGER: Data-Driven Control of Power Systems Using Structured Reinforcement Learning

Aranya Chakrabortty
09/01/2019 - 08/31/2021

This proposal will generate new results on application of machine learning in power system controls.

Highly Robust Integrated Power Electronics Packaging Technology

Douglas C Hopkins, Subhashish Bhattacharya
06/01/2018 - 07/31/2020

NCSU is proposing research in very high voltage (VHV) >10kV power electronics packaging for ultra-harsh environments that use Wide Band Gap (WGB) power semiconductor devices, i.e. SiC (and GaN for gate drivers). The primary problems in VHV circuits are high electric fields that require tailored conductor patterns for field management, minimization of intercoupling capacitances between switching devices, and electrically isolated thermal management. With the fast switching a new concept is pursued using “substrate-less” power module substrates. The power semiconductor interconnections are made through highly thermally conductive organic dielectrics, specifically Epoxy Resin Composite Dielectric (ERCD) material. The ERCD allows for very thin electrically isolating layers to improve electrical conductance, while allowing low modulus material to be used for higher reliability. Lastly, the ERCD material can operate continuously at 300ºC providing early exploration for packaging of WBG devices that are trending to higher temperatures.

Spin Configuration, Chemical Reactions, and Synthesis under EM Field

Daryoosh Vashaee
08/15/2019 - 08/14/2022

This research covers a period of three years to accomplish two primary goals outlined herein. Implemented together, the two integrated components of this program are designed to impact the emerging field of electromagnetic field effects in materials synthesis and chemical reactions.
Aim 1: EM field interaction with Mott materials
Aim 2: Theoretical Modeling of the Non-thermal Microwave Effects and Experimental Tests

Power America: Budget Period 5 Task 2.29 and 5.19

Philip Thomas Barletta
07/01/2019 - 06/30/2020

Task BP5-2.29: Implementation of SiC Block Process Steps to Aid Transition of SiC Technology Developments
Abstract:
With the support of PowerAmerica, X-FAB has established a 6-inch Silicon Carbide foundry line fully integrated within its 30,000 wafers/month silicon wafer fab. Due to its established reputation and full set of 6” SiC fabrication tools, X-FAB often receives inquiries from small organizations
that request small-batch SiC wafer processing. However, because of the small requested volumes, it is difficult to provide these companies access to the production capability of X-FAB. In order to service these requests, we propose to establish a small development fab with a set of standard process blocks in the NCSU Nanofabrication Facility (NNF). This would allow for an efficient
transfer into X-FAB’s production capacity from a more flexible University facility, as well as provide for development opportunity for next generation processes for SiC devices. This aligns with PowerAmerica’s larger strategy of providing companies access to SiC technology to accelerate innovation and adoption of SiC power devices in mainstream applications.

Task BP5-5.19: Development of Short Course for Wide Bandgap Power Devices in NCSU Core Facilities (Months 0-12)

Task Summary:

The NCSU Nanofabrication Facility (NNF) and Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) will work together to develop a two-day short course which will explore the science and technology underpinning wide bandgap (specifically, GaN and SiC) power devices. The target participants for this short course will be professional engineers and technicians, specifically those working in the silicon field who are interested the wide bandgap technology. Both undergraduate and graduate university students will be welcome as well.

Collaborative Research: Improving the Performance and Design of Potentiometric Biosensors for the Detection of Extracellular Histones in Blood with Deep Learning

Spyridon Pavlidis, Edgar J Lobaton
09/15/2019 - 08/31/2022

The objective of the proposed research is to enable the rapid translation from aptamer selection to deployment on a potentiometric biosensor’s surface for highly selective detection. Optimization of the sensor surface will be accelerated through the use of advanced machine learning techniques to distinguish target-specific responses from non-specific binding events and electrode drift effects in complex, clinically-relevant fluids that most studies struggle to overcome. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a biosensor platform for extracellular histone detection will be developed. The understanding that extracellular histones mediate tissue injury and propagate organ failure is relatively new, while the report of aptamer-based therapies is even more recent. Despite this, there have been no reports of electronic microsensors with targeted affinity for circulating histones. We therefore hypothesize that aptamer chemistry can be leveraged to functionalize the surface of potentiometric microsensors in order to perform early-stage, point of care (POC) detection of circulating histones, facilitate the identification of individuals at high risk for development of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS), and allow early treatment.

Power America Pavlidis Task BP4-5.17 Graduate Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Device Lab

Spyridon Pavlidis
07/01/2018 - 09/30/2019

The objective of this proposal is to establish a graduate-level laboratory course in the school of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University that will provide students with hands-on
experience fabricating and electrically testing wide bandgap semiconductor power devices. The teaching material generated for this course will also be made available to PowerAmerica to facilitate the adoption of new wide bandgap semiconductor device courses in partner universities. Unlike traditional
semiconductor device and IC fabrication courses, this course will not focus on silicon CMOS technology. Instead, students will be exposed to the specific processing challenges and associated strategies formanufacturing silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) materials and devices, device design
techniques to realize high power performance and high power device electrical characterization. In achieving these objectives, the course aims to offer students with marketable skills that will drive their interest in the wide bandgap device industry, and consequently accelerate their integration into the workforce.

Direct Correlation Spectrometer and Solar Simulation Testbed for Research on Space Situational Awareness and Optical Communications

Michael Kudenov, John F. Muth
08/15/2019 - 08/14/2020

The requested equipment consists of various commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components that will be assembled into an ultraspectral solar simulator testbed. The instrument can also be used as a high spectral resolution (Δλ ~ 0.004 nm or resolving power R = 137,500 at λ = 550 nm) monochromator or spectrograph. This testbed will serve as a platform for quantifying the performance of Fraunhofer line discriminators for luminescence and fluorescence detection, testing solar-blind imaging approaches, and for testing free-space optical communications systems or signaling methods.

PowerAmerica Baliga Task 2.8 and 2.83

B. Jayant Baliga, John F. Muth
12/01/2014 - 12/31/2019

Funding to continue work for PowerAmerica durning budget period 3

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 Project

Bobby Leonard Compton
08/21/2019 - 05/31/2020

An automated substation inspection robot

CNS Core: Medium: Thermodynamically-Driven Design of High Capacity, Practical DNA-Based Data Storage Systems

James Tuck, Albert J. Keung
10/01/2019 - 09/30/2023

Digital information is being generated in excess of 1 zettabyte (1021 bytes) per year worldwide. Existing information storage technologies are reaching major limitations in keeping pace. These limitations include unsustainable increases in the demand for: information capacity, physical storage space, raw materials, and energy to cool and maintain storage systems. DNA, a natural medium of information storage in biological systems, has garnered excitement and attention from both academic and industry groups as a potential next generation storage technology. DNA offers several advantages including a raw capacity of 1 zettabyte per 1 cubic centimeter. In comparison, state of the art electronic storage media would require 1000 cubic meters to store the same information. DNA also exhibits exceptional stability with a half-life of over a hundred years at ambient temperatures and requires minimal energy to maintain. Thus, DNA could be a transformative information storage medium. This project considers the design of a DNA-based data storage system from a thermodynamics perspective, allowing us to fine-tune interactions between DNA strands to achieve high capacity, random access, and search.

RI:Small: Neural Architecture Search with Deep Compositional Grammatical Structures

Tianfu Wu
08/01/2019 - 07/31/2022

Explicit interpretability is largely missing in state-of-the-art computer vision and machine learning approaches, especially deep neural networks based methods. The goal of this project is to investigate principled methodologies of learning interpretability-driven models which address accuracy and transparency jointly. We focus on two domains under a unified framework: visual recognition (such as image classification, object detection and tracking), and agent autonomy in general game playing environments (such as ALS-Atari learning system and the Mario domain). We propose to integrate top-down image grammar models and bottom-up deep neural networks end-to-end. The proposed framework aims to rationalize prediction results (e.g., labels in visual recognition and actions in agent autonomy) by unfolding latent semantic configurations in visual inputs/states, i.e., sufficient statistics, in a weakly-supervised or self-supervised way. The project has three objectives. First, we will study a generic method which evaluates the post-hoc interpretability of any pre-trained model. Second, we will develop a novel interpretability-sensitive risk minimization method which learns interpretable models with end-to-end training. Finally, we will evaluate learned interpretable models qualitatively and quantitatively on both publicly available large-scale visual recognition benchmarks (such as ImageNet and COCO) and a proposed urban panorama benchmark for visual historians, and in intelligent game engine learning tasks.

SHF: Small: Collaborative Research: Efficient Memory Persistency for GPUs

Huiyang Zhou
10/01/2019 - 09/30/2022

This project investigates memory persistency models for GPUs.

Strategic Design and Development of a Plant Bio-Mining System to Sustainably Harvest Rare Earth Elements from Domestic U.S. Sources.

Colleen J. Doherty, Michael Kudenov
07/01/2019 - 06/30/2022

Despite their abundance in US soils, REEs are dispersed and challenging to extract. The economic and environmental costs of extraction combined with the low resale value of REEs has resulted in decreased US production of REEs. The lack of US companies with the resources and interest in continuing to harvest REE generates a national security risk as the availability of these essential components is under foreign control. Current methods of REE extraction require the use of aqueous chemical treatments. New advances include the use of bacterial filters to capture REE. While these have contributed to reducing the cost of extraction, these approaches still require significant capital investment and a large amount of water to excavate and recapture the REE. Thus, these are approaches that can only be economically employed in areas with large deposits of REEs.
The successful completion of this proposed research will result in an economical plant bio-mining system to extract REE from soil and waste sources. The low costs and minimal footprint of the plant bio-miners will provide an efficient and scalable approach that can be deployed in areas ranging from small fields and consumer waste areas to large mines and reclamation areas. The low upfront costs will encourage the use of plant bio-miners thus reducing the scarcity of REEs and eliminating our dependence on foreign REE sources. The design and engineering of the plant bio-mining system will provide tools to understand how plants regulate uptake and distribute REEs and calcium, which REEs mimic. Small doses of REE can enhance tolerance to abiotic stress. The development of this system to accumulate REEs in plants will help us design REE-inspired treatments to mimic these positive effects on abiotic stress responses and enhance tolerance to drought and heat stress.