Available Technologies

An ORNL invention proposes using 3D printing to make conductors with space-filling thin-wall cross sections. Space-filling thin-wall profiles will maximize the conductor volume while restricting the path for eddy currents induction.

The invention aims to reduce the cost, weight and volume of existing on-board electric vehicle chargers by integrating power electronic converters of the chargers with the traction inverter.

New demands in electric vehicles have resulted in design changes for the power electronic components such as the capacitor to incur lower volume, higher operating temperatures, and dielectric properties (high dielectric permittivity and high electrical breakdown strengths).

A new, simpler power module and manifold design shows lower weight and volume, which allows higher power density compared with current state of the art.

Wind or hydro power are predominantly large-scale with giant generators to convert wind or water captured by turbines into electricity. But residential-sized wind turbines could generate power for a whole house.

There is a strong drive to improve the electrical performance of a power module for power electronics applications including transportation, buildings, renewables, and power delivery.

Electrical utility substations are wired with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), such as protective relays, power meters, and communication switches.

Real-time tracking and monitoring of radioactive/nuclear materials during transportation is a critical need to ensure safety and security. Current technologies rely on simple tagging, using sensors attached to transport containers, but they have limitations.

Wireless charging systems need to operate at high frequency, at or near resonance, to maximize power transfer distance and efficiency. High voltages appear across the inductors and capacitors. The use of discrete components reduces efficiency, increases system complexity.