<div>Power semiconductor devices play an important role in many areas, including household</div><div>appliances, electric vehicles, high speed trains, electric power stations, and renewable energy</div><div>conversion. In the modern era, silicon based devices have dominated the semiconductor</div><div>market, including power electronics, because of their low cost and high performance. The</div><div>applications of devices rated 600 V - 6.5 kV are still dominated by silicon devices, but they</div><div>are nearly reaching fundamental material limits. New wide band gap materials such as silicon</div><div>carbide (SiC) offer significant performance improvements due to superior material properties</div><div>for such applications in and beyond this voltage range. 4H-SiC is a strong candidate</div><div>among other wide band gap materials because of its high critical electric field, high thermal</div><div>conductivity, compatibility with silicon processing techniques, and the availability of high</div><div>quality conductive substrates.</div><div>Vertical DMOSFETs and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) are key devices for</div><div>high voltage applications. High blocking voltages require thick drift regions with very light</div><div>doping, leading to specific on-resistance (R_ON,SP ) that increases with the square of blocking</div><div>voltage (V_BR). In theory, superjunction drift regions could provide a solution because of a</div><div>linear dependence of R_ON,SP on V_BR when charge balance between the pillars is achieved</div><div>through extremely tight process control. In this thesis, we have concluded that superjunction</div><div>devices inevitably have at least some level of charge imbalance which leads to a quadratic</div><div>relationship between V_BR and R_ON,SP . We then proposed an optimization methodology to</div><div>achieve improved performance in the presence of this inevitable imbalance.</div><div>On the other hand, an IGBT combines the benefits of a conductivity modulated drift</div><div>region for significantly reduced specific on-resistance with the voltage controlled input of a</div><div>MOSFET. Silicon carbide n-channel IGBTs would have lower conduction losses than equivalent</div><div>DMOSFETs beyond 6.5 kV, but traditionally have not been feasible below 15 kV. This</div><div>is due to the fact that the n+ substrate must be removed to access the p+ collector of the</div><div>IGBT, and devices below 15 kV have drift layers too thin to be mechanically self-supporting.</div><div>In this thesis, we have demonstrated the world’s first functional 10 kV class n-IGBT with</div><div>a waffle substrate through simulation, process development, fabrication and characterization.</div><div><div>The waffle substrate would provide the required mechanical support for this class of devices.</div><div>The fabricated IGBT has exhibited a differential R_ON,SP of 160 mohm</div><div>.cm², less than half of</div><div>what would be expected without conductivity modulation. An extensive fabrication process</div><div>development for integrating a waffle substrate into an active IGBT structure is described</div><div>in this thesis. This process enables an entirely new class of moderate voltage SiC IGBTs,</div><div>opening up new applications for SiC power devices.</div></div>

Les lésions nerveuses périphériques (LNP) ont des origines variées. Elles peuvent être causées par un traumatisme, une inflammation, une ischémie mais également par la compression de nerfs par une tumeur. Ces lésions traumatiques entrainent une perte sensorielle mais aussi une atteinte motrice pouvant avoir une incidence importante sur la vie des patients et leurs familles. De nombreux progrès ont été réalisés dans le traitement des LNP ces dernières années, cependant, la récupération des patients reste incomplète. Ainsi, l’amélioration du pronostic clinique demeure un défi pour les chercheurs et les cliniciens avec l’utilisation de nouvelles techniques et produits thérapeutiques. Ceci m’a conduit pour ma thèse à utiliser une nouvelle approche avec deux types de greffons combinés avec plusieurs stades de lésion du nerf donneur, mais également à tester le potentiel thérapeutique de petites molécules de types neurostéroïdes, ligands TSPO et activateurs de canaux potassiques afin d’étudier les effets sur la neurorégénération et la neuroprotection lors d’une lésion traumatique. Ainsi, ma thèse se compose de deux parties, faisant appel à deux modèles expérimentaux de rats. 1) Afin de déterminer les meilleures conditions de lésion du nerf donneur lors de la greffe, une neurorrhaphie entre le nerf donneur et la greffe a été réalisée avec deux types de greffons (frais ou pré-dégénérés). Un marquage des neurones par un traceur rétrograde, l’analyse des axones myélinisés et l’évaluation des potentiels d’actions ont été réalisés pour étudier la neuroprotection et la neurorégénération. Cette approche a permis de montrer une régénération axonale efficace à condition que la partie axonale fournie par le nerf donneur atteigne 50 % du nombre total d’axones. De plus, l’utilisation du greffon pré-dégénéré a montré un effet bénéfique en potentialisant le processus de neurorégénération. 2) Dans le but d’étudier l’effet de l’administration de petites molécules telles que la progestérone, la Nestorone, l’étifoxine et les activateurs des canaux potassiques Kv7.2/7.3 sur la neuroprotection, la régénération axonale et les fonctions de récupération, on a utilisé un modèle de lésion par compression du nerf spinal cervical. Les analyses histologiques mentionnées ci dessus, la mesure des potentiels évoqués et des tests de comportements sensori-moteurs ont été effectués pour étudier la neuroprotection, la neurorégénération et les fonctions de récupération. La progestérone et la Nestorone ont montré des effets bénéfiques sur la neuroprotection à court terme, mais également sur la neurorégénération et la récupération fonctionnelle à long terme après une lésion nerveuse. D’une manière intéressante, l’action seule de l’étifoxine améliore la récupération fonctionnelle motrice tandis que le GRT12 seul a plutôt une action bénéfique sur la récupération sensitive. Les composés de synthèse associant les propriétés de ligands TSPO d'activateurs des canaux Kv7.2/7.3 ont montré des effets sur la récupération fonctionnelle à la fois motrice et sensitive. Notre étude met en évidence qu’une neurorrhaphy réalisée avec une lésion de 50% du nerf donneur est la meilleure condition pour la neurorégénération. Elle a également permis de vérifier l’avantage de l’utilisation d'un greffon nerf pré-dégénéré pour améliorer le processus de neurorégénération. Nous avons démontré l’action thérapeutique de la progestérone et de la Nestorone sur la neuroprotection et neurorégénération, mais également celle des nouveaux composés synthétiques (ligand TSPO combiné à l’activateur Kv7.2/7.3) sur la récupération sensori-motrice. / Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) results from multiple causes, including trauma, inflammation, ischemia and tumor compression. Dysfunction of affected muscles and sensory deprivation caused by PNI result in huge obstacles for suffering patients and their families. Even though many achievements for PNI treatment have been realized during the last decades, poor clinical prognosis remains a challenge for researchers and clinicians. This prompted me to explore new approaches for nerve repair by using two different types of nerve grafts associated with several nerve injuries of donor nerve, but also investigate the therapeutic potential of several small molecules including neurosteroids, TSPO agonist ligands and potassium channel activators for promoting neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. My thesis is divided into two parts and makes use of two experimental rat models. The major aims were : 1) To determine the optimal injury condition of a donor nerve for end-to-side neurorrhaphy by using a sciatic end-to-side neurorrhaphy model with different types of autologous nerve grafts (fresh or predegenerated). Neuronal retrograde labeling, analysis of myelinated axons and the evaluation of action potentials were performed to evaluate neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. This approach showed that effective axonal regeneration into a nerve graft occurred only when axonal resources supplied by the donor nerve reached 50% of its total number of axons. In addition, the use of a predegenerated nerve graft was beneficial for neuroregeneration by improving the environment of the nerve pathway. 2) To investigate the efficacy of the administration of small molecules including progesterone, Nestorone, etifoxine and Kv7.2/7.3 channel activators for neuroprotection, axonal regeneration and functional recovery. For these studies, we developed a cervical spinal nerve crush injury model. The same histological analysis mentioned above, measures of evoked potentials and motor or sensory behavioral tests were performed to evaluate neuroprotection, neuroregeneration and functional recovery. Progesterone and Nestorone showed benefits on neuroprotection at early stages and on neuroregeneration and functional recovery at later stages after nerve injury. Interestingly, the mono-therapy of etifoxine promoted motor functional recovery while the mono-therapy of GRT12 was beneficial for sensory functional recovery. The synthetic compounds combining TSPO ligand and Kv7.2/7.3 channel activator properties promoted both motor and sensory functional recovery. In conclusion, our study revealed that 50% axotomy of a donor nerve in the end-to-side neurorrhaphy paradigm is the optimal condition for neuroregeneration. We also verified the advantage of using predegenerated instead of a fresh nerve graft to improve the regenerative environment. We also demonstrated the effectiveness of progesterone and Nestorone in neuroprotection and neuroregeneration, and that new synthetic compounds with TSPO ligand and Kv7.2/7.3 channel activator properties promoted motor and sensory recovery.

The need for DC power at continuous uninterrupted rates is a reality for ship survival during highly intense combat and regular travel. The new proposed distribution system on the all-electric ship is designed using a DC distribution method (zones) in which the use of transformers and frequency issues/manipulation can be eliminated with the use of power electronics. These power electronic devices can greatly simplify the system and provide more available space, possible cost reduction, and variable control. One key feature is to make sure that the DC buses/systems and converters/rectifiers are protected from faults, transients, and other malicious events that can cause unwanted interference, shutdown, and possible damage or destruction. DC faults can have a detrimental impact on the ship performance. DC protection should allow for high speed and highly sensitive detection of faults enhancing reliability in the supply of electric power. DC fault protection geared towards a lower voltage scenario/system has not yet been studied and analyzed rigorously. The research goal of this work has been to develop a method in which the system can detect a DC fault and perform suppression of the fault and return to normal operating conditions once the fault is removed. The use of power electronics and DC fault detection methods are employed to determine how to best protect the system?s stability and longevity. The findings of the research work have demonstrated that using zero-crossing logic on the AC side of the system is beneficial in DC fault detection. Also, different grounding schemes can produce different effects, whereas some grounding schemes can help protect the system during a disturbance.

No description available.

This master's thesis deals with the area hospital distribution networkand one of the hospital's entry substation. The first part of this master's thesis deals with the project of the new cable network, her gradual revival without any power outages at the collection points. Futher, in this thesis is project of temporary transformer station for supplying power during the reconstruction of the HV switchboard. Subsequently, in this thesis is project of the new HV switchboard in one of the entry substation. new HV switchgear and a new HV substation were projected. Futher, in this thesis is proposed compensation of the whole area, including the HV network.

The research conducted for this thesis seeks to understand issues associated with integrating a direct spread spectrum system (DSSS) transceiver on to a single chip. Various types of sequences, such as Kasami sequences and Gold sequences, are available for use in typical spread spectrum systems. For this thesis, complex spreading sequences (CSS) are used for improved cross-correlation and autocorrelation properties that can be achieved by using such a sequence. While CSS and DSSS are well represented in the existing body of knowledge, and discrete bulky hardware solutions exist – an effort to jointly integrate CSS and DSSS on-chip was identified to be lacking. For this thesis, spread spectrum architecture was implemented focussing on sub-systems that are specific to CSS. This will be the main contribution for this thesis, but the contribution is further appended by various RF design challenges: highspeed requirements make RF circuits sensitive to the effects of parasitics, including parasitic inductance, passive component modelling, as well as signal integrity issues. The integration is first considered more ideally, using mathematical sub-systems, and then later implemented practically using complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The integration involves mixed-signal and radio frequency (RF) design techniques – and final integration involves several specialized analogue sub-systems, such as a class F power amplifier (PA), a low-noise amplifier (LNA), and LC voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs). The research also considers various issues related to on-chip inductors, and also considers an active inductor implementation as an option for the VCO. With such an inductor a better quality factor is achievable. While some conventional sub-system design techniques are deployed, several modifications are made to adapt a given sub-system to the design requirements for this thesis. The contribution of the research lies in the circuit level modifications done at sub-system level aimed towards eventual integration. For multiple-access communication systems, where a number of independent users are required to share a common channel, the transceiver proposed in this thesis, can contribute towards improved data rate or bit error rate. The design is completed for fabrication in a standard 0.35-μm CMOS process with minimal external components. With an active chip area of about 5 mm2, the simulated transmitter consumes about 250 mW&the receiver consumes about 200 mW. AFRIKAANS : Die navorsing wat vir hierdie tesis onderneem is, beoog om kundigheid op te bou aangaande die kwessies wat met die integrasie van ‘n direkte spreispektrumstelsel (DSSS) sender-ontvanger op ‘n enkele skyfie verband hou. Verskeie tipes sekwensies, soos byvoorbeeld Kasami- en Gold-sekwensies, is vir gebruik in tipiese spreispektrumstelsels beskikbaar. Vir hierdie tesis is komplekse spreisekwensies (KSS) gebruik vir verbeterde kruis- en outokorrelasie-eienskappe wat bereik kan word deur so ‘n sekwensie te gebruik. Alhoewel DSSS en KSS reeds welbekend is, en diskrete hardeware oplossings reeds bestaan, is die vraag na gesamentlike geïntegreerde DSSS en KSS op een vlokkie geïdentifiseer. Vir hierdie tesis is spreispektrumargitektuur aangewend met die klem op KSS substelsels. Dit is dan ook die belangrikste bydrae van hierdie tesis, maar die bydrae gaan verder gepaard met verskeie RF-ontwerpuitdagings: hoëspoed-vereistes maak RF-stroombane sensitief vir die uitwerking van parasitiese komponente, met inbegrip van parasitiese induktansie, passiewe komponentmodellering en ook seinintegriteitskwessies. Die integrasie word eerstens meer idealisties oorweeg deur wiskundige substelsels te gebruik en dan later prakties te implementeer deur komplementêre metaaloksied-halfgeleiertegnologie (CMOS) te gebruik. Die integrasie behels gemengdesein- en radiofrekwensie(RF)-ontwerptegnieke – en finale integrasie behels verskeie gespesialiseerde analoë substelsels soos ‘n klas F-kragversterker (KV), ‘n laeruis-versterker (LRV), en LC-spanningbeheerde ossileerders (SBO’s). Die navorsing oorweeg ook verskeie kwessies in verband met op-skyfie induktors en oorweeg ook ‘n aktiewe induktorimplementering as ‘n opsie vir die SBO. Met sodanige induktor is ‘n beter kwaliteitsfaktor haalbaar. Hoewel enkele konvensionele substelsel-ontwerptegnieke aangewend word, word daar verskeie wysigings aangebring om ‘n gegewe substelsel by die ontwerpvereistes vir hierdie tesis aan te pas. Die bydrae van die navorsing is hoofsaaklik die stroombaanmodifikasies wat gedoen is op substelselvlak om integrasie te vergemaklik. Vir veelvoudige-toegang kommunikasiestelsels waar ‘n aantal onafhanklike gebruikers dieselfde seinkanaal moet deel, kan die sender-ontvanger voorgestel in hierdie tesis meewerk om die datatempo en fouttempo te verbeter. Die ontwerp is voltooi vir vervaardiging in ‘n standaard 0.35-μm CMOS-proses met minimale eksterne komponente. Met ‘n aktiewe skyfie-oppervlakte van ongeveer 5 mm2, verbruik die gesimuleerde sender ongeveer 250 mW en die ontvanger verbruik ongeveer 200 mW. / Thesis (PHD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

The work focuses on outlet of the electrical power from power plants operating in urban areas. After a short analysis of the general possibility of leading out electric power from power plants of various types, thesis continues to describe of outlet electrical power from PPC Červený Mlýn. Subsequently, are calculated short-circuit conditions in the main switching station. It follows an analysis of power lines. The last part dealt with the issue of reliability of sources in connection with random transition processes in the electrical network and the light of the operational reliability of electrical power equipment.

No description available.