UAIPD# 13-0015

Dr. Jaber Abu Qahouq

Carbon Nanotube Power Converters and Inverters

Current Problems• Switching DC-DC power converters have the

advantage of much higher energy efficiency compared with converters using linear regulations– DC-DC power converters are larger than linear

regulations requiring more power inductors, power transformers, more switching devices and control circuits

– Widely used when energy efficiency is crucial• Power inductors and transformers– Bulky and difficult to integrate with other components

• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) – Interfacial resistance problems

• Ex. Copper traces on substrates

• Power converter made of carbon nanotubes (CNT)– High density and efficient

• Consists of one or more switching transistors, power inductors, capacitors, power transformers, and power connections/wires

• All devices are made and connected by CNTs• Applicable to DC-AC, AC-DC, and DC-DC power converters

Technology

• Electromigration – Large reliability issue with small dimensions and

copper interconnections• CNT made power converters can improve the

overall interconnectivity by reducing bond density

• CNT power converters reduce the overall resistance of the converter – Due to the reduction of copper nodes within the

integration process

Advantages

• Dr. Jaber Abu-Qahouq– Associate Professor– 24 publications– 4 patent applications

• Departments– Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies– Center for Materials for Information

Technologies– Electrical and Computer Engineering

Inventor

jaberq@eng.ua.edu

Office for Technology Transfer720 2nd Ct E

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401UAIPD 13-0015OTT@UA.edu

www.OTT.UA.edu