OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego will use a two-year grant of more than $187,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help fund faculty research into electric-vehicle (EV) technology. The effort seeks to find a “more efficient and less expensive” inverter technology to facilitate the adoption of high-voltage DC-links in electric vehicles, which will “help […]
OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego will use a two-year grant of more than $187,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help fund faculty research into electric-vehicle (EV) technology.
The effort seeks to find a “more efficient and less expensive” inverter technology to facilitate the adoption of high-voltage DC-links in electric vehicles, which will “help reduce their charging times,” SUNY Oswego said.
“Real-world experience is a crucial part of engineering education,” Hui Zhang, an electrical and computer engineering faculty member, said. “Getting involved in research is a great way for students to learn hands-on skills and develop problem-solving abilities. I always encourage students to participate in my research.”
The university announced the NSF funding award on April 6.
Why electric vehicles
In Zhang’s research-funding proposal, she notes that “besides reducing fossil fuel consumption and environmental benefits, electric vehicles offer numerous other benefits such as increasing fuel diversity, providing opportunities to integrate more renewable energy into the grid and offering individual benefits including better driving experience and less expensive and frequent maintenance.”
“The number one reason we switch to electric vehicles is the environmental benefit,” Zhang said. “It will also help us diversify our energy source so we rely less on fossil fuels.”
Zhang also noted that cost is one of the top barriers to both producing and purchasing electric vehicles. Besides cost, charging — the problem she wishes to solve with this research — is another “significant barrier” to EV adoption.
“It takes a long time to charge — a lot longer than a conventional vehicle,” Zhang said. “Do you want to stop for an hour to charge your vehicle? This technology that we are researching can help to reduce that charging time.”
DC link
Zhang will research traction inverter technology and the application of wide bandgap devices as a way to increase the DC (direct current) link voltage of the electrical system in an electric vehicle.
“Besides the significant reduction of charging time of electric vehicles, the new inverter design with a high voltage DC-link can increase the power density of the electrical system which would mean smaller components and less weight, as well as less part count and in turn less cost,” Zhang said. “Moreover, the application of wide bandgap devices can further improve the efficiency and reduce the heat in the electrical system.”
SUNY Oswego students will be involved in the research through project-based courses and summer internships with Zhang.
Through the grant, Zhang will also extend the learning opportunity to K-12 students in local schools by providing science and technology camps and workshops.