Tunable Textured Composites for Lightweight Power Systems

A new voltage tunable inductor (VTI) will be developed based on textured magnetoelectric composite and a corresponding electrical control circuit will be developed enabling its use in applications with high frequency enabled wide bandgap-based DC-DC (switchmode) conversion. Rapid electrical characterization of the new variable inductor devices will enable early design and simulation of a novel converter and control system platform during Phase I. These new VTIs will be integrated into an advanced WBG switchmode converter design for high frequency applications that leverage state-of-the-art developments in circuit design developed specifically for this novel striction material. The program exit goal is to demonstrate and document figures of merit for the new tunable inductors identifying the key relationships between the addition of control to power budget, size, weight, and overall performance of WBG-based switchmode converters.