Foram estudados filmes de oxinitreto de silício obtidos por PECVD à 320°C, a partir da mistura gasosa de N2O+SiH4+He, com diferentes valores de pressão e potência de deposição com o objetivo de produzir boa qualidade de interface deste material com o Si e de obter uma baixa densidade de carga efetiva visando a aplicação desses filmes em dispositivos semicondutores MOS. Os resultados mostraram que com uma pressão de deposição de 0,160 mbar e potências menores que 125 W/cm2 é possível obter um valor de densidade de estados de interface (Dit) de 4x1010 eV-1.cm-2, campo elétrico de ruptura (Ebd) de 13 MV/cm, valores comparáveis ao SiO2 térmico e uma densidade de carga efetiva (Nss) de 4x1011 cm-2. Segundo resultados experimentais esse valor de Nss é o mínimo possível que se pode atingir com a limpeza química utilizada em nosso laboratório. Pode-se dizer que estes são resultados bastante interessantes considerando que se trata de um material obtido por PECVD à baixa temperatura, porém viável para aplicação em dispositivos MOS. Iniciando os estudos com dielétricos de maiores valores de constante dielétrica optamos por estudar filmes de TiOx (k=40-100), obtidos por sputtering reativo, a partir da mistura gasosa de Ar+O2 e utilizando alvo de Ti. Foram fabricados capacitores MOS com estes filmes e obteve-se valores de constante dielétrica que variaram de 40-160. Porém esses materiais ainda apresentavam valores apreciáveis de corrente de fuga que foram minimizadas em ordens de grandeza quando utilizados dielétricos de dupla camada com SiO2 ou SiOxNy (otimizado neste trabalho) na interface, além de se observar uma melhora significativa da qualidade de interface. Utilizando dupla camada dielétrica com filmes de SiOxNy e SiO2, ainda espessos (³ 1nm) para camada intermediária, obteve-se uma constante dielétrica efetiva em torno de 20. Vale ressaltar que os dois filmes SiOxNy e TiOx, conseqüentemente a dupla camada, foram fabricados a baixas temperaturas. / Silicon oxynitride films obtained by the PECVD technique from N2O+SiH4+He gaseous mixtures, at 320°C, with different deposition pressure and RF power were studied intending to improve the interface quality with Si, decreasing the effective charge density and the interface state density in order to utilize them in MOS semiconductor devices. The results showed that with a deposition pressure of 0.160 mbar and a RF power density lower than 125 W/cm2 it is possible to obtain interface state density (Dit) values of 4x1010 eV-1.cm-2, Electrical Breakdown (Ebd) of 13 MV/cm, comparable with the obtained for thermally grown SiO2 , and an effective charge density (Nss) of 4x1011 cm-2. According with experimental results this Nss value is the minimum attainable with our chemical cleaning process. In this way it can be said that these results are very promising, considering that these materials were obtained by PECVD at low temperatures, but still viable for MOS devices application. In order to initiate studies with high dielectrics constant material, TiOx films (k= 40-180), obtained by reactive sputtering through the Ar+O2 gaseous mixture utilizing a Ti target, were chosen. MOS capacitors with these films were fabricated and dielectric constant values varying from 40 to 160 were obtained. However, until now, these materials have presented appreciable leakage current values, which were, minimize by orders of magnitude with the addition of a thin SiO2 or SiOxNy (optimized in this work) layer at the interface were utilized. This thin layer also resulted in a significant improvement of the interface quality. Utilizing double dielectric layer with SiOxNy or SiO2, still thick (³ 1nm) as intermediate layer a dielectric constant value of 20 was obtained. Its important to mention that the SiOxNy and TiOx films, and consequently the double layer, were deposited at low temperatures.

Esta pesquisa tem como principal objetivo apresentar uma análise do comportamento dos elementos passivos mais utilizados para compensação reativa e na composição dos filtros passivos sintonizados: os capacitores de potência. Tal análise foi focada na comparação de resultados obtidos via simulação computacional com os resultados oriundos de ensaios laboratoriais em ambiente controlado, servindo de base para estabelecer os limites de validade do modelo computacional hoje implementado em softwares comerciais de simulação de fluxo de carga e fluxo de harmônicos de uso bastante difundido no ambiente industrial. Os resultados alcançados demonstram que o modelo clássico de capacitores apresenta uma excelente precisão quando operando em condições ideais. Porém, quando operando na presença de situações adversas às ideais, o modelo demonstrou possuir limitações que serão devidamente reportadas neste documento. / This research has as aim to present a behaviors analysis of the electrical power capacitors which are used for reactive compensation and in the tuned harmonic passive filters. Such analysis was focused on the results comparison obtained via computer simulation with the results obtained in laboratory tests done in a controlled environment, providing the basis to establish the validity limits of the computational model implemented in today\'s commercial load flow and harmonic flow software simulation widespread use in industrial environments. Results show that the classical model capacitor has excellent accuracy when operating under ideal conditions. However, when operating in presence of adverse situations the classical model has demonstrated limitations that will be duly and reported in this work.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de estudar a aplicação, para sistema de frenagem veicular, de uma máquina elétrica sem escovas, de armadura toroidal, e fluxo magnético axial produzido por ímãs permanentes de terras raras, a chamada máquina Torus. A máquina foi construída no LMEAE e estudada inicialmente como motor em outro trabalho. Mas, para que se possa avaliar seu funcionamento em sistema de frenagem, o foco é do ponto de vista da máquina como gerador. São realizados testes dinâmicos e estáticos experimentalmente e modelo numérico pelo método dos elementos finitos com um formato de ímãs permanentes de seção setorial, possibilitando o comparativo com a versão anterior da máquina que empregou ímãs de seção quadrada. Mudanças físicas e no sistema de acionamento da máquina, e ensaios de frenagem dinâmica foram realizados. Modelagem analítica para indução magnética foi desenvolvida utilizando-se da técnica de Transformação Conforme. O trabalho busca apresentar as características da máquina e justificativas que demonstram o seu potencial de aplicabilidade em um subsistema veicular sob frenagem regenerativa e a capacidade de fornecimento de energia a um sistema de armazenamento com uma parte de energia cinética, ou seja, baterias e supercapacitores. / This work is carried out with the aim to study the application, by a vehicular braking system, of a brushless electrical machine with a toroidal armature core, and axial magnetic flux delivered by rare earth permanent magnets, the so-called Torus machine. The machine was built in the LMEAE, and previously studied as a motor by other work. However, in order to assess its performance in a braking system, the focus is the point of view of the machine as a generator. Static and dynamic tests are implemented as well as a numerical model by means of the finite element method, in order to compare the machine with sector poles permanent magnets and with square magnet poles. Physical changes and on the driving system of the machine, and dynamic braking tests are performed. The analytical modelling for the magnetic induction was developed using the technique of conformal transformation. The study aims to present the features of the machine and demonstrates its potential applicability to a vehicular subsystem under regenerative braking and the ability to supply an energy storage system with part of the kinetic energy, i.e. batteries and super capacitors.

Orientador: Luis Carlos Origa de Oliveira / Banca: José Carlos Rossi / Banca: Olivio Carlos Nascimento Souto / Resumo: O presente trabalho avalia a viabilidade técnica da aplicação de compensação reativa em circuitos secundários aéreos de baixa tensão, através da aplicação de capacitores e / ou filtros para aplicação em Baixa Tensão, buscando assim uma otimização dos reativos presentes nas redes secundárias. Considerando-se as constantes mudanças que vêm ocorrendo no cenário de distribuição de energia elétrica, devido ao grande avanço da eletrônica de potência e de cargas não lineares cada vez mais presentes no sistema elétrico, fazem-se necessários estudos para diagnosticar como e em que níveis tais mudanças podem estar afetando as características das redes de distribuição. Verifica-se que tais cargas, possuem um baixo fator de potência, e podem aumentar significativamente o nível de correntes harmônicas devido às técnicas de chaveamento utilizadas nestes dispositivos. Com isto, acentuam-se os problemas da propagação das distorções de forma de onda das correntes às tensões da rede, além de aumentar consideravelmente as perdas de energia elétrica ao longo de seus condutores e transformadores. Há necessidade de se conhecer as características dessas cargas de forma a permitir a correta modelagem das mesmas. O objetivo deste trabalho é identificar o perfil da rede secundária frente aos níveis de harmônicos e fator de potência, permitindo a adequada aplicação de filtros e capacitores para instalação no secundário dos transformadores de distribuição, visando a correção do fator de potência nos circuitos, redução do reativo circulante, das perdas elétricas e eventualmente dos níveis de distorção harmônica. Avaliando-se as interferências no carregamento dos transformadores de distribuição e melhoria do perfil da tensão de alimentação. Neste sentido, foi feita uma campanha de monitoramento em alguns circuitos selecionados... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This paper seeks to evaluate the technical feasibility of applying for compensation reactive side air circuits in low-voltage, by the application of capacitors and / or filters for use in the Low Voltage, thereby seeking an optimization of reactive present in the secondary networks. Analysis with a focus on secondary distribution network should consider a new factor, which is the proliferation of non-linear loads. Considering the constant changes that are occurring in the scenario of distribution of electric energy, due to the general advancement of power electronics and nonlinear loads increasingly present in the electrical system, are made necessary studies to diagnose how and to what levels such changes may be affecting the characteristics of distribution networks. It appears that such loads, have a low power factor, and can significantly increase the level of harmonic currents because of the techniques used in these switching devices. With this, stressing the problems of the spread of distortions of waveform of the current tensions to the network, in addition to considerably increase the loss of power over their drivers and processors. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the profile of the network front secondary levels of harmonics and power factor, allowing the proper implementation of filters and capacitors for installation of transformers in the secondary distribution, aiming to correct the power factor in circuits, Reducing the reactive stock, loss of electrical and possibly the levels of harmonic distortion. Judging is interference in the shipment of processors for distribution and improving the profile of the supply voltage. In this sense, there was a campaign tracking in some selected circuits, computer simulations were also conducted, equipment developed and deployed pilot projects. / Mestre

Unmanned ground and aerial vehicles (UGVs and UAVs) have strict payload limitations, limited free space affecting on board power availability resulting in limited endurance and operational range. This limitation is exacerbated by the addition of sensors, actuators and other related equipment needed to accomplish mission objectives in diverse applications. Two energy sources are mainly available for mobile applications; batteries and fuel cells. Batteries are a relatively cheap, tested technology with good performance under varying loads. On the other hand, fuel cells offer fast and easy refueling solutions. Furthermore, preliminary studies have shown that a hybrid system can combine the advantages of both technologies offering a superior system. It is true that for most outdoors applications, payload needs, sensor suite utilization and energy requirements are apriori unpredictable. This makes proper sizing of energy storage devices and the prediction of remaining available energy rather difficult tasks. This research proposes an indirect way of improving the operational range for UAVs of Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOLs), since the VTOL vehicle is transported to the mission site without the need to fly. The proposed gimballed platform, which will be a power source itself, rotates around two axes perpendicular to each other, allowing the VTOL to take-off and land, regardless of the position of the UGV, while securing it during transportation. The UGV can also serve as a charging station for the VTOL. Furthermore, this research proposes a Matlab Simulation tool that can simulate the energy and power demand of small to mid-sized robotic vehicles. This model will simulate the power consumption in the motors based on Skid steering, road gradient, linear and angular velocity. With the energy and power requirements estimated, a Matlab optimization tool is proposed to be used to determine the optimal configuration of a power system for mobile applications under constraints relating to capacity/runtime, weight, volume, cost, and system complexity. The configuration will be based on commercially available batteries, and fuel cells to significantly reduce cost and delivery time. The optimization tool can be used for any mobile application. Finally, a new model is proposed for the accurate prediction of battery runtime and remaining energy for single battery discharge. This model reformulates Peukert's equation and achieves higher accuracy by introducing a new concept of variable exponent which is a function of battery capacity and discharge current.

Graduation date: 2006 / The design of a 10-bit pipelined charge redistribution DAC employing MOSCAPs biased in their accumulation mode is presented in this thesis. A switched capacitor filter and output buffer have also been designed for the system. The effect of MOSCAP nonlinearity on the performance of the pipelined charge redistribution DAC has been analyzed. MOS capacitors and their models available for simulation have been discussed. In addition, the effect of more general capacitor nonlinearities on the performance of the DAC has been presented.

Room temperature molten liquids are proposed to be good alternates for volatile and harmful organic compounds. They are useful in varied areas of applications ranging from synthesis, catalysis to energy storage molten electrolytes have certain unique characteristics such as low vapour pressure, reasonably high ionic conductivity, high thermal stability and wide electrochemical window. These molten liquids can be classified in to two types depending on the nature of the species present in the liquids. One, those liquids consists only of ions (e.g) conventional imidazolium based ionic liquids and other that consists of ions and solvents (e g) acetamide eutectics. Acetamide and its eutectics from room temperature molten solvents that is unique with interesting physicochemical properties. The solvent properties of molten acetamide are similar to water, with high dielectric consist of 60 at 353 k. its acid – base properties are also similar to water, and it can solublise variety of organic and inorganic compounds as well. in the present studies room temperature molten liquids consisting of acetamide as one of the components have been prepared and used for various applications. Room temperature molten electrolytes consisting of magnesium perchlorate/magnesium triflate as one of the constituents have been used for rechargeable magnesium batteries where as those consisting of zinc perchlorate /zinc triflate have been used for zinc based rechargeable batteries. Full utilization of cathode material (y-mno2) is achieved using amide-based molten liquid as electrolyte in rechargeable zinc based batteries. Ammonium nitrate/ lithium nitrate containing electrolytes have been used for electrochemical super capacitors. They have been used as solvent cum stabilizers for metallic nanochains that can be used as substrate in surface enchanced Raman scattering studies.

Fabrication technology, based on MEMS processes, for constructing components for use in switched-mode power supplies are developed and presented. Capacitors, magnetic cores, and inductors based on sacrificial multilayer electroplating are designed, fabricated, and characterized. Characterization of the produced inductors' core losses at high frequency and high flux is presented, confirming the aptness of the featured microfabrication processes for reducing eddy current losses in magnetic cores. As well, the demonstration of the same inductors in DC/DC converters at high switching frequencies, up to 6 MHz, is presented. Initial work addressing the top-down development of a fully-integrated DC/DC converter is presented. As well, the comprehensive advancement of the central process - sacrificial multilayer electroplating - is presented, including the development of a second-generation automated multilayer electroplating system. The advanced sacrificial multilayer plating process is applied to produce microfabricated capacitors, which achieved in excess of 1.5 nF/mm² capacitance density, The fabrication of highly-laminated magnetic cores and power inductors based on sacrificial multilayer electroplating is presented, along with the design and development of a system for characterizing inductor behavior at high-frequency, high-flux conditions. The design and operation of both buck and boost DC/DC converters, switching at up to 6 MHz, built around these highly-laminated-core inductors are presented.

Driven by economic, technical and environmental factors, the energy sector is currently undergoing a profound paradigm shift towards a smarter grid setup. Increased intake of Distributed and Renewable Generation (DG) units is one of the Smart Grid (SG) pillars that will lead to numerous advantages among which lower electricity losses, increased reliability and reduced greenhouse gas emissions are the most salient. The increase of DG units’ penetration will cause changes to the characteristics of distribution networks from being passive with unidirectional power flow towards Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) with multi-direction power flow. However, such changes in the current distribution systems structure and design will halt the seamless DG integration due to various technical issues that may arise. Voltage and reactive power control is one of the most significant issues that limit increasing DG penetration into distribution systems. On the other hand, the term microgrid has been created to be the building block of ADNs. A microgrid should be able to operate in two modes of operation, grid-connected or islanded. The successful implementation of the microgrid concept demands a proper definition of the regulations governing its integration in distribution systems. In order to define such regulations, an accurate evaluation of the benefits that microgrids will bring to customers and utilities is needed. Therefore, there is a need for careful consideration of microgrids in the assessment, operation, planning and design aspects of ADNs. Moreover, SG offers new digital technologies to be combined with the existing utility grids to substantially improve the overall efficiency and reliability of the network. Advanced network monitoring, two ways communication acts and intelligent control methods represent the main features of SG. Thus it is required to properly apply these features to facilitate a seamless integration of DG units in ADNs considering microgrids. Motivated by voltage and reactive power control issues in ADNs, the concept of microgrids, and SG technologies, three consequent stages are presented in this thesis. In the first stage, the issues of voltage and reactive power control in traditional distribution systems are addressed and assessed in order to shed the light on the potential conflicts that are expected with high DG penetration. A simple, yet efficient and generic three phase power flow algorithm is developed to facilitate the assessment. The results show that utility voltage and reactive power control devices can no longer use conventional control techniques and there is a necessity for the evolution of voltage and reactive power control from traditional to smart control schemes. Furthermore, a probabilistic approach for assessing the impacts of voltage and reactive power constraints on the probability of successful operation of islanded microgrids and its impacts on the anticipated improvement in the system and customer reliability indices is developed. The assessment approach takes into account: 1) the stochastic nature of DG units and loads variability, 2) the special philosophy of operation for islanded microgrids, 3) the different configurations of microgrids in ADNs, and 4) the microgrids dynamic stability. The results show that voltage and reactive power aspects cannot be excluded from the assessment of islanded microgrids successful operation. The assessment studies described in the first stage should be followed by new voltage and reactive power planning approaches that take into account the characteristics of ADNs and the successful operation of islanded microgrids. Feeders shunt capacitors are the main reactive power sources in distribution networks that are typically planned to be located or reallocated in order to provide voltage support and reduce the energy losses. Thus, in the second stage, the problem of capacitor planning in distribution network has been reformulated to consider microgrids in islanded mode. The genetic algorithm technique (GA) is utilized to solve the new formulation. The simulation results show that the new formulation for the problem of capacitor planning will facilitate a successful implementation of ADNs considering islanded microgrids. In the third stage, the SG technologies are applied to construct a two ways communication-based distributed control that has the capability to provide proper voltage and reactive power control in ADNs. The proposed control scheme is defined according to the concept of multiagent technology, where each voltage and reactive power control device or DG unit is considered as a control agent. An intelligent Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) model is proposed for the interior structure of each control agent. The Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA) performatives are used as communication acts between the control agents. First, the distributed control scheme is applied for voltage regulation in distribution feeders at which load tap changer (LTC) or step voltage regulators are installed at the begging of the feeder. In this case, the proposed control aims to modify the local estimation of the line drop compensation circuit via communication. Second, the control scheme is modified to take into consideration the case of multiple feeders having a substation LTC and unbalanced load diversity. To verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control structure, a multiagent simulation model is proposed. The simulation results show that distributed control structure has the capability to mitigate the interference between DG units and utility voltage and reactive power control devices.

Conventionally discrete passive components like capacitors, resistors, and inductors are surface-mounted on top of the printed circuit boards (PCBs). To match the ever increasing demands of miniaturization, cost reduction, and high performance in microelectronic industry, a promising approach is to integrate passive components into the board during PCB manufacture. Because they are embedded inside multilayer PCBs, such components are called embedded passives. This work focuses on the materials design, development and processing of polymer-based dielectric nanocomposites for embedded capacitor applications. The methodology of this approach is to combine the advantages of the polymer and the filler to satisfy the electric, dielectric, mechanical, fabrication, and reliability requirements for embedded capacitors. Restrained by poor adhesion and poor thermal stress reliability at high filler loadings, currently polymer-ceramic composites can only achieve a dielectric constant of less than 50. In order to increase the dielectric constant to above 50, effects of high-k polymer matrix, bimodal fillers, and dispersing agent are systematically investigated. Surface functionalization of nanofiller particles and modification of epoxy matrix with a secondary rubberized epoxy to form sea-island structure are proposed to enhance the dielectric constant, adhesion and high-temperature thermal stress reliability of high-k composites. To obtain photodefinable high-k composites, fundamental understanding of the photopolymerization of the novel epoxy-ceramic composite photoresist is addressed. While the properties of high-k composites largely depend on the polymer matrix, the fillers can also drastically affect the material properties. Carbon black- and carbon nanotubes-filled ultrahigh-k polymer composites are investigated as the candidate materials for embedded capacitors. Dielectric composites based on percolation typically show a high dielectric constant, and a high dielectric loss which is not desirable for high frequency applications. To achieve a reproducible low-loss percolative composite, a novel low-cost core-shell particle filled high-k percolative composite is developed. The nanoscale insulating shells allow the electrons in the metallic core to tunnel through it, and thereby the composites exhibit a high dielectric constant as a percolation system; on the other hand, the insulating oxide layer restricts the electron transfer between filler particles, thus leading to a low loss as in a polymer-ceramic system.