Event
Microelectronics Seminar: Dr. Hang Dai, GE Aerospace Research
Monday, February 24, 2025
11:00 a.m.
2460 A.V. Williams
Darcy Long
301 405 3114
dlong123@umd.edu
Speaker: Dr. Hang Dai, GE Aerospace Research
Title: MW, kV, and High-Frequency Converters: Accelerating Transportation Electrification for a Net-Zero World
Abstract: Transportation currently accounts for nearly 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions. While progress has been made in electrifying light-duty vehicles, meeting net-zero emissions targets demands further advancements in both transportation electrification and renewable energy systems. Recent breakthroughs in device technologies, converter topologies, and control strategies have enabled kilovolt(kV) and high frequency (HF) power electronics, paving the way for high power density, megawatt (MW)-scale converters. These innovations support more compact electric power trains and faster EV charging infrastructure. This presentation explores the pivotal role of MW-, kV-, and HF-enabled converters in achieving a net-zero transportation landscape. In particular, it introduces a 2 MW, 2 kV- scale modular current-source converter (CSC), cooled by supercritical CO2, that addresses the limitations of conventional voltage-source converters. The CSC employs novel modulation techniques to implement bidirectional switches—reducing system losses by over 33%—and leverages a common-mode voltage cancellation topology to achieve a tenfold reduction in electromagnetic interference. The talk also covers ongoing research on MW and kV-scale electric powertrain's electromagnetic compatibility and component health assessment to enhance the overall electric system’s reliability. Finally, emerging directions, such as CSC-based superconducting magnetic energy storage systems for ultra-fast charging infrastructures, will be discussed to illustrate future pathways toward sustainable transportation.
Bio: Hang Dai received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2021. He joined the GE Global Research Center in 2021 and transitioned to GE Aerospace Research in 2024 as a Lead Engineer. His research focuses on high-power, high-frequency, and high-voltage power electronics, leveraging next-generation wide bandgap semiconductor devices for transportation electrification and renewable energy systems. He serves as principal investigator and technical lead on several government-funded projects to develop megawatt (MW) and kilovolt (kV)-scale power converters with improved efficiency, power density, reliability, and electromagnetic compatibility. He has published more than 38 technical papers, won a Best Paper Award at IEEE ITEC, and received third place in the IEEE ECCE Hardware Competition.
