Khaligh receives NSF grant for SiC-based battery charging

Assistant Professor Alireza Khaligh (ECE/ISR) is the principal investigator for a new National Science Foundation EAGER grant, “Integrated On-Board SiC-Based Level-3 Charging for Plug-In Electric Vehicles.”

The objective of this electric vehicle-related research is to investigate, design, and develop an integrated, on-board, silicon carbide-based, level-3 battery charger, compatible with level-1 and level-2 charging, using the propulsion machine and its inverter for the next generation of plug-in vehicles.

Khaligh will conduct comprehensive propulsion motor and inverter analyses and propose a rectifier/charger topology to charge the battery. He will investigate the possibility of eliminating power factor correction inductors for both single-phase and three-phase charging by using propulsion machine windings, without producing torque.

This fundamental research will achieve breakthroughs in control, modeling and design of power electronic interfaces for electric vehicles. It will enhance scientific understanding of motor-integrated inverter/chargers and lead to generic methodologies for obtaining optimal design of level-3 chargers and introducing control strategies to prevent torque generation during three-phase charging/ The multidisciplinary research involves power electronics, adjustable speed drives, control and power management.

Published July 1, 2013