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DC/DC Hybrid Converter for High Power Energy Harvesting

CSEF · 2015 Electronics & Electromagnetics

Erik N. Lamp · Lincoln (Abraham) High School, San Francisco, San Francisco County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this experiment was to demonstrate the successful design and construction of a DC/DC hybrid converter for the purpose of high power energy harvesting through powering a standard DC/DC converter with a conventional energy harvester. Methods/Materials The performance of a LT1619 DC/DC converter was compared to a custom-designed DC/DC hybrid converter by setting the output voltage of each to 5.33 volts and determining which had the lower activation voltage (without a load on the output). This indicated that a DC/DC hybrid converter is possible. For an additional test, two different power MOSFETs were used in both DC/DC converters. The first MOSFET had a gate threshold of 1.9 volts. The second MOSFET had a lower gate threshold voltage of 0.8 volts. The MOSFETs were compared to see which gave the two DC/DC converters the lowest activation voltage. Results The data collected, showed that an output voltage of 5.33 volt, without a load, was achieved with an input voltage of 0.85 volts, compared to the 3.06 volt input from the standard DC/DC converter. By using a conventional energy harvester to power the power MOSFET of the standard DC/DC converter, the input voltage required to output 5.33 volts, decreased by an estimated 72.2%. Conclusions/Discussion A DC/DC hybrid converter is possible by powering the power MOSFET of one DC/DC converter with the output of another. By using a conventional energy harvester, the standard DC/DC converter was activated at a lower activation voltage than it would without it. Achieving a lower activation voltage also means a lower input voltage. With this new technic for DC/DC converters, new possibilities of energy harvesting can be explored. This includes enabling solar panels to function in the shade and maximizing the storage capacity of a supercapacitor.

Summary statement

In this research project, the idea of a DC/DC hybrid converter for a high power energy harvester, in the use of solar cells and energy storage, was explored.

Help received

My father funded my project and mentored me through basic electronics. In addition, a couple of my teachers proofread my research paper.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2015 Electronics & Electromagnetics · Entry S0913

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