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At least 757 records · Page 42

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2024

LEED: A Lightwave Energy-Efficient Datacenter

The Lightwave Energy-Efficient Datacenter (LEED) program is a disruptive “green-field” approach that provides a quantum leap in the energy efficiency of datacenters. LEED’s fundamental value proposition is that a novel and re-architected optical network—RotorNet— can deliver “more bandwidth per buck” as well as unique system-level attributes that significantly improve overall datacenter energy efficiency and performance. LEED has developed three system-level testbeds. The first testbed uses calibrated hardware and software power measurements to determine server energy efficiency as a function of network bandwidth and workload. These measurements have shown that increasing network communications bandwidth dramatically increases server energy efficiency providing a realistic path to the overall ENLITENED program goal of doubling the number of transactions per joule. The second testbed demonstrates key hardware: a prototype low-loss, high-port count optical “selector switch”. This switch was fabricated, racked, and tested. Measured switch characteristics include loss, bandwidth, crosstalk, switch time, system-level switch time (including the transceivers), and bit error rate. The third testbed demonstrates a fully working and manufactured pinwheel design which dramatically lowers the cost of design, while delivering high switch radix and low reconfiguration times. The LEED project has tied these three novel photonic switch prototypes together with production servers and software through the development of a novel FPGA-based NIC platform called Corundum. Corundum ensures that the packet-switched protocols supported by commodity operating systems and devices can interface with the Rotor switch design. The LEED group has used this combined hardware and software prototype to characterize applications running at a commercially relevant scale. The project has used a combination of enhanced optical modulation amplitude (OMA) modulators, broadband multiplexers and demultiplexers, avalanche photodiodes, and a novel burst-mode receivers to enable the insertion of LEED-developed optical switches without the need for expensive optical amplification. Our modeling has shown that measured LEED-developed device characteristics can achieve link characteristics of 2 pJ/bit including both transceivers and the Rotor switch. In summary, the LEED program has demonstrated a credible and practical path, through novel hardware and software, to realize the program objectives of ENLITENED. The net result will ensure that the United States maintains its strength in the crucial sector of Information Technology, which is vital to both our economic security and our national security.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2021

Imaging of Electrothermal Filament Formation in a Mott Insulator

Resistive switching—the current- and voltage-induced change of electrical resistance—is at the core of memristive devices, which play an essential role in the emerging field of neuromorphic computing. This study is about resistive switching in a Mott insulator, which undergoes a thermally driven metal-to-insulator transition. Two distinct switching mechanisms are reported for such a system: electric-field-driven resistive switching and electrothermal resistive switching. The latter results from an instability caused by Joule heating. Here, we present the visualization of the reversible resistive switching in a planar V 2 O 3 thin-film device using high-resolution wide-field microscopy in combination with electric transport measurements. We investigate the interaction of the electrothermal instability with the strain-induced spontaneous phase separation in the V 2 O 3 thin film at the Mott transition. The photomicrographs show the formation of a narrow metallic filament with a minimum width ≲500 nm. Although the filament formation and the overall shape of the current-voltage characteristics (IVCs) are typical of an electrothermal breakdown, we also observe atypical effects such as oblique filaments, filament splitting, and hysteretic IVCs with sawtoothlike jumps at high currents in the low-resistance regime. We are able to reproduce the experimental results in a numerical model based on a two-dimensional resistor network. This model demonstrates that resistive switching in this case is indeed electrothermal and that the intrinsic heterogeneity is responsible for the atypical effects. This heterogeneity is strongly influenced by strain, thereby establishing a link between switching dynamics and structural properties.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2021

Current-Source Solid-State DC Transformer Integrating LVDC Microgrid, Energy Storage, and Renewable Energy Into MVDC Grid

Solid-state DC transformer to integrate low-voltage DC (LVDC) microgrid, wind turbine (WT) generator, photovoltaic (PV), and energy storage (ES) into medium-voltage (MV) direct-current (MVDC) distribution grids is attractive. This paper proposes current-source DC solid-state transformer (SST) for MVDC collection system in WT, PV, and ES farms or as an interface between the MVDC grid and the LVDC microgrid. Compared to conventional current-source converter (CSC) based SSTs, a switch reduction scheme on reverse-blocking device bridges is proposed to reduce device count and the number of devices on the DC-link current path. Importantly, the proposed switch reduction scheme is generic and can be applied to the DC ports of DC-AC, AC-DC, or DC-DC hard-switching or soft-switching CSC-based SSTs. Based on this scheme, the proposed current-source DC SSTs are derived, which have reduced electrolytic-capacitor-less DC-link. The proposed DC SSTs also achieve single-stage isolated DC-DC or DC-AC conversion, full-range zero-voltage switching (ZVS) for main switches, zero-current switching (ZCS) for resonant switches, and controlled dv/dt. The proposed DC SSTs, operating principles, predictive control method, the ZVS, and the controlled dv/dt under voltage buck-boost ranges are verified with MV simulations and an experimental prototype based on SiC MOSFETs, diodes, and a nanocrystalline transformer.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Domain Wall Reactions in Multiple-Order Parameter Ferroelectrics

The motion of domain walls is crucial for ferroelectric switching. Conventionally, the switching dynamics is believed to be determined by the motion of one or a few low-energy domain wall types of dominant population. Here, we challenge this conventional idea in multiple-order-parameter ferroelectrics. Using hafnia as example, we show that the multiple-order-parameter nature not only provides various mobile domain walls and defectlike immobile domain walls, but also enables the domain wall reactions. In analogy with chemical reactions where substances react to form new substances, domain walls could also react to form other domain walls during switching. We identify several elementary domain wall reaction types including synthesis, decomposition, and exchange reactions. Domain walls are continually changed by these reactions during switching so that the switching behavior reflects the statistical average of many domain wall types with distinct mobility and stability. These reactions also lead to phenomenon like remanent nuclei and defect-site nucleation that facilitate switching and lower coercive field. Finally, the concept of domain wall reaction is not limited to hafnia but can be generalized to any multiple-order-parameter ferroelectric. As a result, this Letter conceptualizes domain wall reaction, expands the theory of ferroelectric switching, and suggests a practical way for defect engineering to control switching behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Important powertrain dynamics for developing models for control of connected and automated electrified vehicles

Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) technology presents significant opportunities for energy saving in the transportation sector. CAV technology forecasts vehicle and powertrain power needs under various terrain, ambient, and traffic conditions. Integration of the CAV technology in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) provides the opportunity for optimal vehicle operation. Indeed, Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrains present high degrees of flexibility and possibility for choosing optimum powertrain modes based on the predicted traction power needs. In modeling complex CAV powertrain dynamics, the modeler needs to consider short-time scale powertrain dynamics, such as engine transients, and hysteresis of mode-switching for a multi-mode HEV. Therefore, the powertrain dynamics essential for developing powertrain controllers for a class of connected HEVs is presented. To this end, control-oriented powertrain dynamic models for a test vehicle consisting of full electric, hybrid, and conventional engine operating modes are developed. The resulting powertrain model can forecast vehicle traction torque and energy consumption for the specified prediction horizon of the test vehicle. The model considers different operating modes and associated energy penalty terms for mode switching. Thus, the vehicle controller can determine the optimum powertrain mode, torque, and speed for forecasted vehicle operation via utilizing connectivity data. The powertrain model is validated against the experimental data and shows prediction error of less than 5% for predicting vehicle energy consumption. The model is used to create energy penalty maps that can be used for CAV control, for example fuel penalty map for engine torque changes (10–40 Nm) at each engine speed. The results of model-based optimization show optimum switching delays ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 s to avoid hysteresis in mode switching.

Engineering↗

DOE OSTI2021

Interleaved multi-channel, multi-level, multi-quadrant DC-DC converters

Direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-DC) power converters that include two or more multi-quadrant, multi-level, DC-DC, switching converter subcircuits, connected in parallel at respective input and output sides, so as to provide a multi-channel, multi-quadrant, multi-level configuration, are disclosed. The DC-DC power converters further include a control circuit configured to control the switching converter subcircuits so that corresponding switching semiconductors in each of the switching converter subcircuits are switched in an interleaved manner. In some embodiments, each of the switching converter subcircuits is a three-level, neutral-point-clamped, four-quadrant DC-DC converter circuit. In other embodiments, each of the switching converter subcircuits is a three-level, neutral-point-clamped, two-quadrant DC-DC converter circuit. In any of these embodiments, a filter capacitor may be connected between across a pair of output terminals at the output sides of the switching converter subcircuits.

Du, Yu↗

DOE OSTI2023

Control of matrix converters using machine learning

A method of controlling a matrix converter system is provided. The method includes receiving an operating condition and consulting a trained Q-data structure for reward values associated with respective switching states of the switching matrix for an operating state that corresponds to the operating condition. The Q-data structure is trained using Q-learning to map a reward value predicted for respective switching states to respective discrete operating states. The method further includes sorting the reward values predicted for the respective switching states mapped to the operating state that corresponds to the operating condition, selecting a subset of the set of the mappings as a function of a result of sorting the reward values associated with the switching states of the operating state, evaluating each switching state included in the subset, and selecting an optimal switching state for the operating condition based on a result of evaluating the switching states of the subset.

Chamie, Mahmoud El↗

DOE OSTI2024

Exploring the benefits of using co-packaged optics in data center and AI supercomputer networks: a simulation-based analysis [Invited]

We investigate the advantages of using co-packaged optics in next-generation data center and AI supercomputer networks. The increased escape bandwidth offered by co-packaged optics provides multiple possibilities for building 50T switches and beyond, expanding the opportunities in both the data center and supercomputing domains. Furthermore, this provides network architects with the opportunity to expand their design space and develop simplified networks with enhanced network locality properties. Co-packaging at the switch and server points enables networks with double capacity while reducing the switch count by 64% compared to state-of-the-art systems. We evaluate these concepts through discrete-event simulations using all-to-all and all-reduce traffic patterns that simulate collective communications commonly found in network-bound applications. Initially, we investigate the all-to-all overhead involved in distributing the virtual machines of the applications across multiple leaf switches and compare it to the scenario in which all VMs are placed under a single switch. Subsequently, we evaluate the performance of an AI supercomputing cluster by simulating both patterns for different message sizes, while also varying the number of participating nodes. The results suggest that networks with improved locality properties become increasingly important as the network stack operates at higher speeds; for a stack latency of 1.25 µs, placing the applications under multiple switches can result in up to 68% higher completion times than placing them under a single switch. For AI supercomputers, significant improvements are observed in the mean server throughput, reaching more than 90% for configurations involving 256 nodes and message sizes of at least 128 KiB.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2021

High performance, electroforming-free, thin film memristors using ionic Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3

Here, in ionically conducting Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 (NBT), we explore the link between growth parameters, stoichiometry and resistive switching behavior and show NBT to be a highly tunable system. We show that the combination of oxygen ionic vacancies and low-level electronic conduction is important for controlling Schottky barrier interfacial switching. We achieve a large ON/OFF ratio for high resistance/low resistance ( R HRS / R LRS ), enabled by an almost constant R HRS of ~10 9 Ω, and composition-tunable R LRS value modulated by growth temperature. R HRS / R LRS ratios of up to 10 4 and pronounced resistive switching at low voltages (SET voltage of <1.2 V without high-voltage electroforming), strong endurance (no change in resistance states after several 10 3 cycles), uniformity, stable switching and fast switching speed are achieved. Of particular interest is that the best performance is achieved at the lowest growth temperature studied (600 °C), which is opposite to the case of most other perovskite oxides for memristors, where higher growth temperatures are required for optimum performance. This is understood based on the oxygen vacancy control of interfacial switching in NBT, whereas a range of other mechanisms (including filamentary switching) occur in other perovskites. The study of NBT has enabled us to determine key parameters for achieving high performance memristors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Modular, multi-channel, interleaved power converters

A multi-phase power converter includes two or more multi-phase, bi-directional, multi-level, switching power converter subcircuits, connected in parallel at respective AC and DC sides, so as to provide a multi-channel, bi-directional, multi-level configuration. The AC sides of the switching converter subcircuits are directly coupled to one another and to a multi-phase AC input via series interface reactors, and the DC sides of the switching converter subcircuits are directly connected to one another and to a common split-capacitor bank at each level of the multi-level outputs of the switching converter subcircuits. A control circuit is configured to selectively control one or more switching semiconductor devices in each of the switching converter subcircuits. In some embodiments, the control circuit includes a closed-loop zero-sequence controller and a zero-sequence generator configured to eliminate circulating current among the switching converter subcircuits and to balance voltages across levels of the common split-capacitor bank.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2020

Methods and devices for non-invasive root phenotyping

The present disclosure provides for an electronic sensor for detecting a root of a plant in soil, the electronic sensor that includes a first conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil, a switch, a power supply, and signal extractor. The switch is electrically coupled to the first conductor plate and is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The power supply is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to provide an electrical charge to the first conductor plate in the first mode of the switch. The signal extractor is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to extract a signal response at the first conductor plate in the second mode of the switch. The present disclosure further provides a second conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil adjacent to and substantially parallel to the first conductor plate. The second conductor plate is electrically coupled to ground.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2021

Semiconductor topologies and devices for soft starting and active fault protection of power converters

Various examples are provided related to semiconductor topologies and devices that can be used for soft starting and active fault protection of power converters. In one example, an active switch device includes an active switch having a gating control input; and a thyristor having a gating control input. The thyristor is coupled in parallel with the active switch. The active switch can be an IGBT, MOSFET, or other appropriate device. In another example, a power converter can include the active switch devices and switching control circuitry coupled to gating control inputs of the active switch devices.

Beddingfield, Richard B.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Methods and devices for non-invasive root phenotyping

Benfey, Philip N.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for protecting and controlling a microgrid with a dynamic boundary

Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for protecting and controlling a microgrid with a dynamic boundary are disclosed. One method includes detecting a fault in a microgrid that includes a dynamic point-of-common-coupling (PCC), in response to determining that the microgrid is operating in a grid-connected mode, isolating the fault by tripping a microgrid side smart switch and a grid side smart switch that are located immediately adjacent to the fault, initiating the reclosing of the grid side smart switch, and initiating the reclosing for the microgrid side smart switch via resynchronization if the grid side smart switch is successfully reclosed, and in response to determining that the microgrid is operating in an islanded mode, isolating the fault by tripping a microgrid side smart switch that is located immediately adjacent to the fault, and initiating the reclosing of the microgrid side smart switch.

Wang, Fei↗

DOE OSTI2023

Methods and devices for non-invasive root phenotyping

The present disclosure provides for an electronic sensor for detecting a root of a plant in soil, the electronic sensor that includes a first conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil, a switch, a power supply, and a signal extractor. The switch is electrically coupled to the first conductor plate and is configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The power supply is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to provide an electrical charge to the first conductor plate in the first mode of the switch. The signal extractor is electrically coupled to the switch and is configured to extract a signal response at the first conductor plate in the second mode of the switch. The present disclosure further provides a second conductor plate configured to be disposed in soil adjacent to and substantially parallel to the first conductor plate. The second conductor plate is electrically coupled to ground.

Benfey, Philip↗

DOE OSTI2023

Programmable delay device enabling large delay in small package

A programmable delay device that provides delays of more than 100 ns over a broad bandwidth is disclosed. The device includes an input stage that employs M sampling switched capacitor elements such that each sampling switched capacitor element samples at a rate of only 1/M of the fundamental sampling rate. The device includes a programmable delay stage with M programmable switched capacitor banks, each programmable switched capacitor bank having N delay switched capacitor storage elements. Thus, the programmable delay stage includes a total of M×N delay switched capacitor storage elements, thereby reducing the sampling rate by a factor of M×N. This reduced sampling rate permits much smaller sampling switches, resulting in reduced leakage current and enabling far longer programmable delay times. Lastly, the device includes an output reconstruction stage that reconstructs a delayed version of the input RF signal by combining signals from the programmable delay stage.

Forbes, Travis↗

DOE OSTI2023

Magnetoresistance anomaly during the electrical triggering of a metal-insulator transition

Phase separation naturally occurs in a variety of magnetic materials and it often has a major impact on both electric and magnetotransport properties. In resistive switching systems, phase separation can be created on demand by inducing local switching, which provides an opportunity to tune the electronic and magnetic state of the device by applying voltage. Here we explore the magnetotransport properties in the ferromagnetic oxide La 0.7 ⁢Sr 0.3 ⁢MnO 3 (LSMO) during the electrical triggering of an intrinsic metal-insulator transition (MIT), which produces volatile resistive switching. This switching occurs in a characteristic spatial pattern, i.e., the formation of a high-resistance barrier perpendicular to the current flow, enabling an electrically actuated ferromagnetic-paramagnetic-ferromagnetic phase separation. At the threshold voltage of the MIT triggering, both anisotropic and colossal magnetoresistances exhibit anomalies including a large increase in magnitude and a sign flip. Computational analysis revealed that these anomalies originate from the coupling between the switching-induced phase separation state and the intrinsic magnetoresistance of LSMO. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that driving the MIT material into an out-of-equilibrium resistive switching state provides the means for electrical control of the magnetotransport phenomena.

Complex oxides↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Single-Stage Multilevel AC-DC Bidirectional Converter With Natural Grid Harmonic Elimination

Generally, AC-DC converters have an AC-DC stage followed by a DC-DC stage. In these two stage approaches, the AC-DC stage is hard-switched, whereas the DC-DC stage is soft-switched. Therefore, the devices in the AC-DC stage can be switched only at tens of kHz to avoid excessive switching losses, thus limiting the bandwidth of the current control loop. Hence, the control of these converters with distorted grid voltages requires multiple harmonic compensation loops or other complex control algorithms in order for the grid currents to comply with IEEE standards. By integrating both the stages, the devices in the AC-DC stage can also be soft-switched, thus facilitating higher switching frequency, and thereby higher current control bandwidth. This paper proposes an integrated multilevel bidirectional AC-DC converter with improved control bandwidth and disturbance rejection. It is shown experimentally that the high bandwidth current control loop of the converter can reject grid harmonic current disturbances, without the need for any compensation loops or complex control techniques, and comply with IEEE standards.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗