Rapidly rising fossil fuel costs along with increased environmental awareness has encouraged the development of alternative energy sources. Such sources include fuel cells, wind, solar and ocean tide power. Among them, fuel cells have received increased interest in the recent years. This is mainly due to their high efficiency, modularity, and simple construction. However, due to their low output voltage and wide variation from no load to full load, a power electronics converter is required to interface the fuel cell with its loads. This dissertation focuses on developing a set of considerations that will assist designers of the power electronics converter in the design and optimization of the system. These design considerations are obtained analytically and verified experimentally and allow obtaining an efficient and stable fuel cell – power converter system. In addition to the design guidelines this dissertation presents new power converter topologies that do not require the use of transformers to achieve a large voltage gain. Further a new modular fuel cell power converter system that divides the fuel cell stack to optimize power generation is proposed. It is shown by means of mathematical analysis and experimental prototypes that the proposed solutions contribute to the reduction of size and cost of the power converter as well to increase the efficiency of the system.

Thesis (M.S. in electrical engineering)--Washington State University, December 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Jan. 19, 2010). "School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-48).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University,2008. / Abstract. Vita. Some chapters published as articles in the Journal of Power Sources. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Sinibaldi, Jose O. ; Milsaps, Knox T. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 26, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Laminar flame speed test, Test faculty characterization for bio-diesel characterization, Combustion Chamber, Ignition, Fuelling. Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-70). Also available in print.

Promotionsarbeit--Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zürich. / Lebenslauf.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brown University, 2008. / Advisor: G. Tayhas R. Palmore. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 44 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-41).

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-78).

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Oscar Biblarz, Garth Hobson. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-47). Also available online.