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The grant was from National Science Foundation (NSF) and is meant to support Professor Xiaoqing Song's research project which aim to make us better understand how gallium-oxide package powder modules could be applied to enhance the power density and temperature range of traction inverters for electric vehicles.
Gallium oxide is a transparent, highly conductive, inorganic compound. The oxide is said to also possess high ultra-wide-bandgap properties, which make it one of the new generation of semiconductor materials on which most research are done on recent time. It is being touted as an alternative to Gallium Nitrate, a semiconductor material which is commonly used in power devices for varieties of machines including electric vehicles.
A traction inverter in an important part of an electric vehicle. It is a power device that converts the direct current (DC) supply from the vehicle's batteries into an alternating current (AC) output.
Professor Xiaoqing Song's project is aim to invent power module packaging, provide reliable plan for gallium oxide power devices and make us understand the capabilities of a high density, high temperature traction inverter.
In a publication by the University of Arkansas, Professor Xiaoqing Song stated that
"By eliminating technical barriers for gallium oxide device integration, this project will foster the development of next-generation, high density and high-operation-temperature power converters,"
He said, "The traction inverter, responsible for converting stored direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) power to drive electric motors, stands to benefit significantly from gallium oxide technology for Gallium oxide can make the traction inverter smaller, lighter, more efficient and capable of operating across a wider range of temperatures"
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