A New SEPIC-Based DC-DC Converter with Coupled Inductors Suitable for High Step-Up Applications

In this paper, a new hybrid SEPIC dc-dc converter with coupled inductors suitable for photovoltaic applications is presented. First, how the new topology was derived will be presented, continuing with its analysis and design equation as a standalone dc-dc topology. The analysis will consist of a steady-state equations derivation, a static conversion ratio calculation based on which the semiconductor voltage and current stresses are evaluated and states the continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation conditions. The converter will then be simulated as a first validation of the theory using the dedicated Caspoc power electronics package. To finally validate the theoretical design, a prototype will be built in order to practically demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed solution and to reveal its main practical features and limitations. A comparative study to several other similar topologies will be carried out to identify its most desirable feature. Finally, an application of the new hybrid converter will consist of a complete solar energy conversion system using a photovoltaic panel. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm will be elaborated. The solar system together with the MPPT will first be modeled, then simulated and practically implemented and tested.

Double Sliding-Surface Multiloop Control Reducing Semiconductor Voltage Stress on the Boost Inverter

Sliding-mode control (SMC) has been successfully applied to boost inverters, which solves the tracking problem of imposing sinusoidal behavior to the output voltage despite the coupled or decoupled operation of both boost cells in the converter. Most of the results reported in the literature were obtained using the conventional cascade-control structure involving outer loops that generate references for one or two sliding surfaces defined using linear combinations of inductor currents and capacitor voltages. As expected, all proposed methods share the inherent robustness and insensitivity to the uncertainties of SMC, which are the reasons why one of the few comparison criteria between them is the simplicity of their implementation that is evaluated according to the required measurements and mathematical operations. Furthermore, the slight differences between the obtained dynamic performances do not allow a clear distinction of the best solution. This study presents a new SMC approach applied to a boost inverter in which two boost cells are independently commutated. Each of these boost cells integrates an outer loop, enforcing the tracking of harmonic-enriched waveforms to the capacitor voltage. Although this approach increases by two the number of measurements and requires multiloop controllers, it allows effective alleviation of the semiconductor voltage stress by reducing the required voltage gain. A complete analytical study using harmonic balance technique allows deducing a simplified model allowing to obtain a PI controller valid into to the whole set of operation conditions. The several simulation results completely verified the potential of the control proposal and the accuracy of the employed methods.

Feasibility analysis of semiconductor voltage nanosensors for neuronal membrane potential sensing

In the last decade, optical imaging methods have significantly improved our understanding of the information processing principles in the brain. Although many promising tools have been designed, sensors of membrane potential are lagging behind the rest. Semiconductor nanoparticles are an attractive alternative to classical voltage indicators, such as voltage-sensitive dyes and proteins. Such nanoparticles exhibit high sensitivity to external electric fields via the quantum-confined Stark effect. Here we report the development of lipid-coated semiconductor voltage-sensitive nanorods (vsNRs) that self-insert into the neuronal membrane. We describe a workflow to detect and process the photoluminescent signal of vsNRs after wide-field time-lapse recordings. We also present data indicating that vsNRs are feasible for sensing membrane potential in neurons at a single-particle level. This shows the potential of vsNRs for detection of neuronal activity with unprecedentedly high spatial and temporal resolution.