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Description
This thesis provides a cost to benefit analysis of the proposed next generation of distribution systems- the Future Renewable Electric Energy Distribution Management (FREEDM) system. With the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources onto the grid, it becomes necessary to have an infrastructure that allows for easy integration of these

This thesis provides a cost to benefit analysis of the proposed next generation of distribution systems- the Future Renewable Electric Energy Distribution Management (FREEDM) system. With the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources onto the grid, it becomes necessary to have an infrastructure that allows for easy integration of these resources coupled with features like enhanced reliability of the system and fast pro-tection from faults. The Solid State Transformer (SST) and the Fault Isolation Device (FID) make for the core of the FREEDM system and have huge investment costs.

Some key features of the FREEDM system include improved power flow control, compact design and unity power factor operation. Customers may observe a reduction in the electricity bill by a certain fraction for using renewable sources of generation. There is also a possibility of huge subsidies given to encourage use of renewable energy. This thesis is an attempt to quantify the benefits offered by the FREEDM system in monetary terms and to calculate the time in years required to gain a return on investments made. The elevated cost of FIDs needs to be justified by the advantages they offer. The result of different rates of interest and how they influence the payback period is also studied. The payback periods calculated are observed for viability. A comparison is made between the active power losses on a certain distribution feeder that makes use of distribution level magnetic transformers versus one that makes use of SSTs. The reduction in the annual active power losses in the case of the feeder using SSTs is translated onto annual savings in terms of cost when compared to the conventional case with magnetic transformers. Since the FREEDM system encourages operation at unity power factor, the need for installing capacitor banks for improving the power factor is eliminated and this re-flects in savings in terms of cost. The FREEDM system offers enhanced reliability when compared to a conventional system. The payback periods observed support the concept of introducing the FREEDM system.
ContributorsRaman, Apurva (Author) / Heydt, Gerald (Thesis advisor) / Karady, George G. (Committee member) / Ayyanar, Raja (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
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Description
The work presented in this manuscript has the overarching theme of radiation. The two forms of radiation of interest are neutrons, i.e. nuclear, and electric fields. The ability to detect such forms of radiation have significant security implications that could also be extended to very practical industrial applications.

The work presented in this manuscript has the overarching theme of radiation. The two forms of radiation of interest are neutrons, i.e. nuclear, and electric fields. The ability to detect such forms of radiation have significant security implications that could also be extended to very practical industrial applications. The goal is therefore to detect, and even image, such radiation sources.

The method to do so revolved around the concept of building large-area sensor arrays. By covering a large area, we can increase the probability of detection and gather more data to build a more complete and clearer view of the environment. Large-area circuitry can be achieved cost-effectively by leveraging the thin-film transistor process of the display industry. With production of displays increasing with the explosion of mobile devices and continued growth in sales of flat panel monitors and television, the cost to build a unit continues to decrease.

Using a thin-film process also allows for flexible electronics, which could be taken advantage of in-house at the Flexible Electronics and Display Center. Flexible electronics implies new form factors and applications that would not otherwise be possible with their single crystal counterparts. To be able to effectively use thin-film technology, novel ways of overcoming the drawbacks of the thin-film process, namely the lower performance scale.

The two deliverable devices that underwent development are a preamplifier used in an active pixel sensor for neutron detection and a passive electric field imaging array. This thesis will cover the theory and process behind realizing these devices.
ContributorsChung, Hugh E (Author) / Allee, David R. (Thesis advisor) / Papandreou-Suppappola, Antonia (Committee member) / Holbert, Keith E. (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
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Description
As photons, electrons, and neutrons traverse a medium, they impart their energy in ways that are analytically difficult to describe. Monte Carlo methods provide valuable insight into understanding this behavior, especially when the radiation source or environment is too complex to simplify. This research investigates simulating various radiation sources using

As photons, electrons, and neutrons traverse a medium, they impart their energy in ways that are analytically difficult to describe. Monte Carlo methods provide valuable insight into understanding this behavior, especially when the radiation source or environment is too complex to simplify. This research investigates simulating various radiation sources using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code, characterizing their impact on various materials, and comparing the simulation results to general theory and measurements.

A total of five sources were of interest: two photon sources of different incident particle energies (3.83 eV and 1.25 MeV), two electron sources also of different energies (30 keV and 100 keV), and a californium-252 (Cf-252) spontaneous fission neutron source. Lateral and vertical programmable metallization cells (PMCs) were developed by other researchers for exposure to these photon and electron sources, so simplified PMC models were implemented in MCNP to estimate the doses and fluences. Dose rates measured around the neutron source and the predicted maximum activity of activation foils exposed to the neutrons were determined using MCNP and compared to experimental results obtained from gamma-ray spectroscopy.

The analytical fluence calculations for the photon and electron cases agreed with MCNP results, and differences are due to MCNP considering particle movements that hand calculations do not. Doses for the photon cases agreed between the analytical and simulated results, while the electron cases differed by a factor of up to 4.8. Physical dose rate measurements taken from the neutron source agreed with MCNP within the 10% tolerance of the measurement device. The activity results had a percent error of up to 50%, which suggests a need to further evaluate the spectroscopy setup.
ContributorsBowler, Herbert (Author) / Holbert, Keith E. (Thesis advisor) / Barnaby, Hugh J (Committee member) / Clark, Lawrence T (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
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Description
The development of new policies favoring integration of renewable energy into the grid has created a need to relook at our existing infrastructure resources and at the way the power system is currently operated. Also, the needs of electric energy markets and transmission/generation expansion planning has created a niche for

The development of new policies favoring integration of renewable energy into the grid has created a need to relook at our existing infrastructure resources and at the way the power system is currently operated. Also, the needs of electric energy markets and transmission/generation expansion planning has created a niche for development of new computationally efficient and yet reliable, simple and robust power flow tools for such studies. The so called dc power flow algorithm is an important power flow tool currently in use. However, the accuracy and performance of dc power flow results is highly variable due to the various formulations which are in use. This has thus intensified the interest of researchers in coming up with better equivalent dc models that can closely match the performance of ac power flow solution.

This thesis involves the development of novel hot start dc model using a power transfer distribution factors (PTDFs) approach. This document also discusses the problems of ill-conditioning / rank deficiency encountered while deriving this model. This model is then compared to several dc power flow models using the IEEE 118-bus system and ERCOT interconnection both as the base case ac solution and during single-line outage contingency analysis. The proposed model matches the base case ac solution better than contemporary dc power flow models used in the industry.
ContributorsSood, Puneet (Author) / Tylavsky, Daniel J (Thesis advisor) / Vittal, Vijay (Committee member) / Ayyanar, Raja (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
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Description
Nanophotonics studies the interaction of light with nanoscale devices and nanostructures. This thesis focuses on developing nanoscale devices for optical modulation (saturable absorber and all-optical modulator) and investigating light scattering from nanoparticles for underwater navigation and energy sector application. Saturable absorbers and all-optical modulators are essential to generate ultrashort high-power

Nanophotonics studies the interaction of light with nanoscale devices and nanostructures. This thesis focuses on developing nanoscale devices for optical modulation (saturable absorber and all-optical modulator) and investigating light scattering from nanoparticles for underwater navigation and energy sector application. Saturable absorbers and all-optical modulators are essential to generate ultrashort high-power laser pulses and high-speed communications. Graphene-based devices are broadband, ultrafast, and compatible with different substrates and fibers. Nevertheless, the required fluence to saturate or modulate the optical signal with graphene is still high to realize low-threshold, compact broadband devices, which are essential for many applications. This dissertation emphasizes that the strong light-matter interaction in graphene-plasmonic hybrid metasurface greatly enhances monolayer graphene’s saturable absorption and optical signal modulation effect while maintaining graphene’s ultrafast carrier dynamics. Furthermore, based on this concept, simulation models and experimental demonstrations are presented in this dissertation to demonstrate both subwavelength (~λ/5 in near-infrared and ~λ/10 in mid-infrared) thick graphene-based saturable absorber (with record-low saturation fluence (~0.1μJ/cm2), and ultrashort recovery time (~60fs) at near-infrared wavelengths) and all-optical modulators ( with 40% reflection modulation at 6.5μm with ~55μJ/cm2 pump fluence and ultrafast relaxation time of ~1ps at 1.56μm with less than 8μJ/cm2 pump fluence). Underwater navigation is essential for various underwater vehicles. However, there is no reliable method for underwater navigation. This dissertation presents a numerical simulation model and algorithm for navigation based on underwater polarization mapping data. With the methods developed, for clear water in the swimming pool, it is possible to achieve a sun position error of 0.35˚ azimuth and 0.03˚ zenith angle, and the corresponding location prediction error is ~23Km. For turbid lake water, a location determination error of ~100Km is achieved. Furthermore, maintenance of heliostat mirrors and receiver tubes is essential for properly operating concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. This dissertation demonstrates a fast and field deployable inspection method to measure the heliostat mirror soiling levels and receiver tube defect detection based on polarization images. Under sunny and clear sky conditions, accurate reflection efficiency (error ~1%) measurement for mirrors with different soiling levels is achieved, and detection of receiver tube defects is demonstrated.
ContributorsRafique, Md Zubair Ebne (Author) / Yao, Yu (Thesis advisor) / Palais, Joseph (Committee member) / Zhang, Yong-Hang (Committee member) / Sukharev, Maxim (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
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Description
This work correlates microscopic material changes to short- and long-term performance in modern, Cu-doped, CdTe-based solar cells. Past research on short- and long-term performance emphasized the device-scale impact of Cu, but neglected the microscopic impact of the other chemical species in the system (e.g., Se, Cl, Cu), their distributions, their

This work correlates microscopic material changes to short- and long-term performance in modern, Cu-doped, CdTe-based solar cells. Past research on short- and long-term performance emphasized the device-scale impact of Cu, but neglected the microscopic impact of the other chemical species in the system (e.g., Se, Cl, Cu), their distributions, their local atomic environments, or their interactions/reactions. Additionally, technological limitations precluded nanoscale measurements of the Cu distributions in the cell, and microscale measurements of the material properties (i.e. composition, microstructure, charge transport) as the cell operates. This research aims to answer (1) what is the spatial distribution of Cu in the cell, (2) how does its distribution and local environment correlate with cell performance, and (3) how do local material properties change as the cell operates? This work employs a multi-scale, multi-modal, correlative-measurement approach to elucidate microscopic mechanisms. Several analytical techniques are used – including and especially correlative synchrotron X-ray microscopy – and a unique state-of-the-art instrument was developed to access the dynamics of microscopic mechanisms as they proceed. The work shows Cu segregates around CdTe grain boundaries, and Cu-related acceptor penetration into the CdTe layer is crucial for well-performing cells. After long-term operation, the work presents strong evidence of Se migration into the CdTe layer. This redistribution correlates with microstructural changes in the CdTe layer and limited charge transport around the metal-CdTe interface. Finally, the work correlates changes in microstructure, Cu atomic environment, and charge collection as a cell operates. The results suggest that, as the cell ages, a change to Cu local environment limits charge transport through the metal-CdTe interface, and this change could be influenced by Se migration into the CdTe layer of the cell.
ContributorsWalker, Trumann (Author) / Bertoni, Mariana I (Thesis advisor) / Holman, Zachary (Committee member) / Chan, Candace (Committee member) / Colegrove, Eric (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
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Description
Convolutional neural networks(CNNs) achieve high accuracy on large datasets but requires significant computation and storage requirement for training/testing. While many applications demand low latency and energy-efficient processing of the images, deploying these complex algorithms on the hardware is a challenging task. This dissertation first presents a compiler-based CNN training accelerator

Convolutional neural networks(CNNs) achieve high accuracy on large datasets but requires significant computation and storage requirement for training/testing. While many applications demand low latency and energy-efficient processing of the images, deploying these complex algorithms on the hardware is a challenging task. This dissertation first presents a compiler-based CNN training accelerator using DDR3 and HBM2 memory. An optimized RTL library is implemented to perform training-specific tasks and an RTL compiler is developed to generate FPGA-synthesizable RTL based on user-defined constraints. High Bandwidth Memory(HBM) provides efficient off-chip communication and improves the training performance. The impact of HBM2 on CNN training workloads is analyzed and compressively compared with DDR3. For training ResNet-20/VGG-like CNNs for the CIFAR-10 dataset, the proposed CNN training accelerator on Stratix-10 GX FPGA(DDR3) demonstrates 479 GOPS performance, and on Stratix-10 MX FPGA(HBM) shows 4.5/9.7 X energy-efficiency improvement compared to Tesla V100 GPU. Next, the FPGA online learning accelerator is presented. Adopting model segmentation techniques from Progressive Segmented Training(PST), the online learning accelerator achieved a 4.2X reduction in training latency. Furthermore, this dissertation presents an 8-bit floating-point (FP8) training processor which implements (1) Highly parallel tensor cores that maintain high PE utilization, (2) Hardware-efficient channel gating for dynamic output activation sparsity (3) Dynamic weight sparsity based on group Lasso (4) Gradient skipping based on FP prediction error. The 28nm prototype chip demonstrates significant improvements in FLOPs reduction (7.3×), energy efficiency (16.4 TFLOPS/W), and overall training latency speedup (4.7×) for both supervised training and self-supervised training tasks. In addition to the training accelerators, this dissertation also presents a CNN inference accelerator on ASIC(FixyNN) and FPGA(FixyFPGA). FixyNN consists of a fixed-weight feature extractor that generates ubiquitous CNN features and a conventional programmable CNN accelerator. In the fixed-weight feature extractor, the network weights are hard-coded into hardware and used as a fixed operand for the multiplication. Experimental results demonstrate FixyNN can achieve very high energy efficiencies up to 26.6 TOPS/W, and FixyFPGA achieves $2.34\times$ higher GOPS on ImageNet classification. In summary, this dissertation comprehensively discusses novel architectures of high-performance and energy-efficient ASIC/FPGA CNN inference/training accelerators.
ContributorsKolala Venkataramaniah, Shreyas (Author) / Seo, Jae-Sun (Thesis advisor) / Cao, Yu (Committee member) / Chakrabarti, Chaitali (Committee member) / Fan, Deliang (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
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Description
This research identifies several barriers to large scale implementation of solar photovoltaics into the modern US electricity system, along with solutions to help mitigate these challenges. The need for new technologies and utility rate plans are identified as two of these key barriers. In place of expensive, developing technologies this

This research identifies several barriers to large scale implementation of solar photovoltaics into the modern US electricity system, along with solutions to help mitigate these challenges. The need for new technologies and utility rate plans are identified as two of these key barriers. In place of expensive, developing technologies this research explores the use of thermal energy storage (TES), a widely used, inexpensive, mature technology as a potential solution for a portion of this problem. A real-life example from Arizona State University (ASU) is used to illustrate the potential of TES. In addition, shortcomings of modern electricity rate plans are identified using both cost and system characteristics of residential solar and battery systems. This rate and system modeling also gives insight into the value that solar can provide to residential customers in a variety of settings.
ContributorsRouthier, Alexander F (Author) / Honsberg, Christiana (Thesis advisor) / Hedman, Mojdeh (Committee member) / Kurtz, Sarah (Committee member) / Miller, Clark (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
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Description
Object tracking refers to the problem of estimating a moving object's time-varying parameters that are indirectly observed in measurements at each time step. Increased noise and clutter in the measurements reduce estimation accuracy as they increase the uncertainty of tracking in the field of view. Whereas tracking is performed using

Object tracking refers to the problem of estimating a moving object's time-varying parameters that are indirectly observed in measurements at each time step. Increased noise and clutter in the measurements reduce estimation accuracy as they increase the uncertainty of tracking in the field of view. Whereas tracking is performed using a Bayesian filter, a Bayesian smoother can be utilized to refine parameter state estimations that occurred before the current time. In practice, smoothing can be widely used to improve state estimation or correct data association errors, and it can lead to significantly better estimation performance as it reduces the impact of noise and clutter. In this work, a single object tracking method is proposed based on integrating Kalman filtering and smoothing with thresholding to remove unreliable measurements. As the new method is effective when the noise and clutter in the measurements are high, the main goal is to find these measurements using a moving average filter and a thresholding method to improve estimation. Thus, the proposed method is designed to reduce estimation errors that result from measurements corrupted with high noise and clutter. Simulations are provided to demonstrate the improved performance of the new method when compared to smoothing without thresholding. The root-mean-square error in estimating the object state parameters is shown to be especially reduced under high noise conditions.
ContributorsSeo, Yongho (Author) / Papandreaou-Suppappola, Antonia (Thesis advisor) / Bliss, Daniel W (Committee member) / Chakrabarti, Chaitali (Committee member) / Moraffah, Bahman (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
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Description
In this work, experimental photonic power converter (PPC) design, fabrication and characterization has been used, along with electrical and optical modeling, to study theoretical efficiency limits of monochromatic photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion due to photon recycling. The back-surface reflectance of a photovoltaic (PV) cell is known to strongly influence external

In this work, experimental photonic power converter (PPC) design, fabrication and characterization has been used, along with electrical and optical modeling, to study theoretical efficiency limits of monochromatic photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion due to photon recycling. The back-surface reflectance of a photovoltaic (PV) cell is known to strongly influence external radiative efficiency, a photon recycling metric (ERE), especially when reflectance is close to 100 %. Considering a perfect back reflector, an upper PV cell efficiency limit of 70.9 % and 85 % is calculated for 870.7 nm illumination at an intensity that would generate 32 mA/cm2 (1-sun) and 100 A/cm2 (3125-sun eq) photocurrent, respectively. However, when realistic non-idealities are introduced, ideal efficiency can drop by 21 % for both cases as long as the series resistivity for cells under high intensity illumination is limited to 1 mΩ cm^2. This presents a challenge for photonic energy conversion technology where high intensity lasers are typically used to deliver power to equipment from remote locations. This work discusses ways to provide reflectance enhancement while allowing sufficient current flow at the back surface. One way to do this is to use a planar transparent conductive oxide and reflective metal at the back surface. This work measures and compares the back-surface reflectance of IZO/Ag to standard reflective/conductive materials such as Au and Ag. A comparison between cells with the highest V_OC for cells processed with Au and IZO/Ag as reflective back contacts show that the V_OC for the IZO/Ag cell outperforms that of the Au cell by 6.6 mV measuring V_OC=1.071 V with a cell efficiency of 51.0 % at 780 nm LED illumination. Efficiency calculations extrapolated to other monochromatic light sources identified 841 nm as the optimal wavelength for the IZO/Ag cells with a projected efficiency of η_cell=55.5 % for incident intensity corresponding to 1-sun photocurrent. With the fill factors comparable between the cell types, at least at intensities near 1-sun equivalent photocurrent, the IZO/Ag reflective back contact design demonstrates benefits from photon recycling while not sacrificing voltage drop due to series resistance compared to cells with a standard Au back contact.
ContributorsBabcock, Sean Joseph (Author) / King, Richard R (Thesis advisor) / Honsberg, Christiana B (Committee member) / Goryll, Michael (Committee member) / Goodnick, Stephen M (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022