ECE: Electrical & Computer Engineering ECE News   SiC switch
handles heat 100 degrees higher than silicon  Puqi NIng
(Photograph by Dave Franusich)  Graduate student Puqi Ning  In
collaboration with Boeing, CPES researchers have been working on
a silicon carbide (SiC) high power density motor drive (HDMC)
designed to regulate and control the speed and torque of a
motor. It takes in 230V, variable frequency, three-phase ac
power, converts it to 650V dc internally, and then outputs up to
10kW three-phase ac to the high density permanent magnet
synchronous motor developed in collaboration with the University
of Wisconsin-Madison. The team has achieved a very good power-
to-weight ratio, exceeding 2kW per pound.  The use of SiC
enables the switch to handle temperatures of up to 250°C, 100°C
higher than comparable silicon-based technology. The higher
maximum temperature means that less space and weight needs to be
devoted to heat management, increasing power density and
improving the power-to-weight ratio.