A eletrônica empregada no desenvolvimento de estimuladores elétricos funcionais contempla enorme diversificação de técnicas e tecnologias, cujas soluções para o estágio de saída variam desde circuitos transistorizados (bipolares ou MOSFETs), transformadores de pulso até amplificadores operacionais de alta tensão. Desenvolver um estimulador elétrico neuromuscular bifásico com saída em ponte H isolada eletricamente. O sistema de estimulação elétrica neuromuscular bifásico contém saída em ponte H utilizando somente transistores MOSFET canal N, permitindo a geração de pulsos bifásicos e monofásicos com controle de amplitude independente para cada pulso, por meio de uma plataforma eletrônica flexível, que possibilita sua utilização com diversos tipos de elementos de controle, desde microcontroladores e FPGA até dispositivos de instrumentação virtual do tipo LabView. Foram realizados testes de bancada que permitiram avaliar o desempenho do instrumento todo e de seus módulos separadamente. A faixa de alimentação utilizada nos testes foi de 12 a 24V, sendo relacionada diretamente a técnica de geração da alta tensão empregada que permitiu produzir de 280 V a 300 V, utilizados na ponte H, que por sua vez, apresentou o desempenho esperado fornecendo pulsos bifásicos com valores de pico a pico de até 600 V, que pudendo ter sua amplitude dos pulsos controlada individualmente com uma resolução de 73,26 mV (4096 passos), permitindo, assim, a geração de diferentes padrões estimulatórios criados a partir da interface gráfica. O estimulador projetado propiciou o desenvolvimento de uma nova técnica de saída em ponte H utilizando transistores MOSFET canal N na construção de estimuladores elétricos neuromusculares com saída bifásica e com controle de amplitude independente para cada pulso. Tal funcionalidade poderá contribuir para novos estudos e trabalhos em reabilitação empregando estimulação elétrica neuromuscular, considerando que, por meio da interface gráfica criada, formas de ondas estimulatórias específicas podem ser geradas. / The electronics used in the development of functional electrical stimulators include huge diversification of techniques and technologies, whose solutions for the output stage range from transistor circuits (bipolar or MOSFET), to pulse transformers and high-voltage operational amplifiers. To develop a biphasic neuromuscular electrical stimulator with electrically isolated H-bridge output. The electrical neuromuscular stimulation system contains biphasic H-bridge output using only N-channel MOSFET transistors, allowing the generation of mono and biphasic pulses whose pulse amplitudes are independently controlled by a flexible electronics platform, which enables its use with different types of control elements, from microcontroller and FPGA devices to Labview virtual instrument. Bench tests were performed that allowed to assess the performance of the instrument and all its modules separately. The power range used in the tests was 12 to 24V, the technique is directly related to generate the high voltage used which allowed to produce 280 V to 300 V, used in the H bridge, which in turn performed as expected providing pulses biphasic with peak to peak values of 600 V, which pudendal have its amplitude pulses individually controlled with a resolution of 73.26 mV (step 4096), thus allowing the generation of stimulatory different patterns created from the graphical interface. The project developed led the design of a new technique for H-bridge output using transistors N-channel MOSFET in the construction of biphasic neuromuscular electrical stimulator with independent amplitude control for each pulse. Such functionality can contribute to new studies and rehabilitation using neuromuscular electrical stimulation, whereas through the graphical user interface created stimulatory specific waveforms can be generated.

Orientador: Cesar José Bonjuani Pagan / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T02:16:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TrindadedeOliveira_Murilo_M.pdf: 8021703 bytes, checksum: 3faa29c4fb8fec84d66f98a7389ed1b5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Nesta dissertação propomos a análise de uma idealização estabelecida dentro da teoria eletromagnética. A partir de Um Tratado sobre Eletricidade e Magnetismo, James C. Maxwell expõe alguns conceitos físicos relativos ao aterramento elétrico em condutores. Assim, ele estima que a presença de um fio condutor que estabelece a conexão entre um corpo condutor e outro, ou mesmo ao terra elétrico, perturba as características do sistema envolvido (carga, potencial e campo elétrico). Desse modo, Maxwell preconiza que para sistemas teóricos ou idealizados, quão indefinidamente fino seja o fio, indefinidamente menor será a perturbação gerada. A contextualização de uma idealização física dentro do ensino da teoria eletromagnética, especialmente para um curso de engenharia, é necessária no intuito de enfatizar as diferenças entre modelos reais e teóricos, uma vez também que os estudantes destes cursos devem estar interessados no desenvolvimento prático dos conceitos apreendidos em sala de aula. Nesse sentido, quando tratamos do método das imagens, especificamente para o problema de uma carga na presença de um condutor esférico aterrado, temos a oportunidade de explorar os limites de um modelo teórico, delimitando quais nuances podem aproximá-lo de uma aplicação no mundo real. Em vista disso, notamos que a maioria dos livros didáticos usados no ensino do eletromagnetismo, quando lidam com o problema do aterramento da esfera, simplesmente negligenciam a questão suscitada por Maxwell, de modo a transformar o problema em um exercício puramente matemático, sem necessidade de explicar os fundamentos físicos que sustentam a solução do problema. Portanto, o intuito do presente trabalho é desenvolver um modelo cuja solução defina o comportamento físico para ambos os casos (levando em consideração ou não a existência da conexão da esfera com o terra elétrico), bem como verificar os limites deste modelo teórico / Abstract: In this work, we propose the analysis about an idealized established within electromagnetic theory. From A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, James C. Maxwell presents some physical concepts related to electrical conductors grounded. In this direction, he estimates that the presence of a straight metallic wire which establishes the connection between a conducting body and another, or even to electrical ground, disturbs the properties of the system involved (charge, potential and electric field). Thus, Maxwell preconize for theoretical or idealized systems, how indefinitely thin is the wire, indefinitely lower is the disturbance created. The context of a physical idealization into the teaching of electromagnetic theory, especially for an engineering degree is required in order to emphasize the differences between real and theoretical models, since the students of these courses should be also interested in the practical development of the concepts learned in the classroom. In this sense, when we discussed the method of images, specifically to the problem of a charge point charge in the presence of a grounded conducting sphere, we have the opportunity to explore the limits of a theoretical model, outlining which nuances can approach it to a real world application. In view of this, we note that most of the textbooks used in teaching electromagnetism, when deals with the problem of grounded sphere, they simply neglect the issue raised by Maxwell. In order to transform the problem into a purely mathematical exercise, without to explain the physical foundations that support the solution of the problem. Therefore, the aim of this work is to develop a model whose solution defines the physical behavior for both cases (taking into account or not the existence of a connection of the sphere with the electrical ground), and to verify the limits of this theoretical model / Mestrado / Eletrônica, Microeletrônica e Optoeletrônica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

The present thesis investigates the grain refinement in solidifying Al-7wt%Si hypoeutectic alloy driven by electric currents. The grain size reduction in alloys generated by electric currents during the solidification has been intensively investigated. However, since various effects of electric currents have the potential to generate the finer equiaxed grains, it is still argued which effect plays the key role in the grain refinement process. In addition, the knowledge about the grain refinement mechanism under the application of electric currents remains fragmentary and inconsistent. Hence, the research objectives of the present thesis focus on the role of electric current effects and the grain refinement mechanism under the application of electric currents. Chapter 1 presents an introduction with respect to the subject of grain refinement in alloys driven by electric current during the solidification process in particular, including the research objectives; the research motivation; a brief review about the research history; a short introduction on the electric currents effects and a review relevant to the research status of grain refinement mechanism. Chapter 2 gives a description of research methods. This chapter shows the employed experiment materials, experimental setup, experimental procedure, the analysis methods of solidified samples, and numerical method, respectively. Chapter 3 focuses on the role of electric current effects in the grain refinement process. A series of solidification experiments are performed under various values of effective electric currents for both, electric current pulse and direct current. The corresponding temperature measurements and flow measurements are carried out with the increase of effective electric current intensity. Meanwhile, numerical simulations are conducted to present the details of the flow structure and the distribution of electric current density and electromagnetic force. Finally, the role of electric current effects is discussed to find the key effect in the grain refinement driven by electric currents. Chapter 4 investigates the grain refinement mechanism driven by electric currents. This chapter mainly focuses on the origin of finer equiaxed grain for grain refinement under the application of electric current on account of the importance of the origin for understanding the grain refinement mechanism. A series of solidification experiments are carried out in Al-7wt%Si alloy and in high purity aluminum. The main origin of equiaxed grain for grain refinement is concluded based on the experiment results. Chapter 5 presents three further investigations based on the achieved knowledge in chapter 3 and 4 about the role of electric current effects and the grain refinement mechanism. According to the insight into the key electric current effect for the grain refinement shown in chapter 3, this chapter presents a potential approach to promote the grain refinement. In addition, the solute distribution under the influence of electric current is examined based on the knowledge about the electric current effects. Moreover, the grain refinement mechanism under application of travelling magnetic field is investigated by performing a series of solidification experiments to compare with the experiments about the grain refinement mechanism driven by electric currents shown in chapter 4. Chapter 6 summarizes the main conclusions from the presented work.:Abstract VII Contents IX List of figures XI List of tables XVII 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Research objectives 1 1.2 Research motivation 2 1.3 Research history 5 1.4 Electric currents effects 9 1.4.1 Some fundamentals 10 1.4.2 Role of electric currents effects in grain refinement 12 1.5 Grain refinement mechanism 13 1.5.1 Nucleation theory 13 1.5.2 Equiaxed grain formation without the application of external fields 18 1.5.3 Grain refinement mechanism under the application of electric currents 23 1.5.4 Grain refinement mechanism under the application of magnetic field 29 2. Research methods 31 2.1 Introduction 31 2.2 Experimental materials 31 2.2.1 Solidification 31 2.2.2 Similarity of GaInSn liquid metal and Al-Si melt 32 2.3 Experimental setup 33 2.3.1 Solidification 33 2.3.2 Flow measurements 35 2.3.3 External energy fields 36 2.4 Experimental procedure 38 2.4.1 Solidification 38 2.4.2 Flow measurements 39 2.5 Metallography 39 2.6 Numerical method 41 2.6.1 Numerical model 41 2.6.2 Numerical domain and boundary conditions 42 3. Role of electric currents effects in the grain refinement 45 3.1 Introduction 45 3.2 Experimental parameter 45 3.3 Results 46 3.3.1 Solidified structure 46 3.3.2 Forced melt flow 50 3.3.3 Temperature distribution 58 3.4 Discussion 61 3.5 Conclusions 67 4. Grain refinement mechanism driven by electric currents 69 4.1 Introduction 69 4.2 Experimental parameter 69 4.3 Results 73 4.3.1 Solidified structure of Al-Si alloy 73 4.3.2 Cooling curves of Al-Si alloy 77 4.3.3 Solidified structure of high purity aluminum 78 4.4 Discussion 80 4.5 Conclusions 83 5. Supplemental investigations 85 5.1 A potential approach to improve the grain refinement 85 5.1.1 Introduction 85 5.1.2 Experimental parameter 86 5.1.3 Results and discussion 87 5.2 Macrosegregation formation 90 5.2.1 Introduction 90 5.2.2 Experimental parameter 91 5.2.3 Results and discussion 92 5.3 Grain refinement driven by TMF 97 5.3.1 Introduction 97 5.3.2 Experimental parameter 97 5.3.3 Results and discussion 98 5.4 Conclusions 102 6. Summary 103 Bibliography 105

In dieser Arbeit wird die elektroakustische Kopplung zwischen Ladungsträgern in Graphen und akustischen Oberflächenwellen (engl. surface acoustic waves, SAWs) untersucht. Es werden elektroakustische Bauelemente aus epitaktischem Graphen auf einem SiC-Substraten demonstriert, auf denen eine piezoelektrische ZnO-Schicht abgeschieden wurde, um die Erzeugung und Ausbreitung von SAWs zu verbessern. Eine dünne MgO-Schicht dient zum Schutz des Graphens während der ZnO Sputterbeschichtung. Bei zwei SAW-Moden mit Frequenzen um 2 GHz können wir in Graphen-Baulementen, welche sich im SAW-Ausbreitungsweg befinden, elektroakustische Ströme messen. Ein klassisches Relaxationsmodell der Wechselwirkung zwischen SAWs und den Ladungsträgern eines zweidimensionalen Elektronengases wird zur Erklärung der Ergebnisse herangezogen. Um die akusto-elektrischen Ströme in unseren Graphen-Bauelementen zu erhöhen, verwenden wir zwei Methoden: (1) Verbesserung der elektronischen Eigenschaften von Graphen und (2) Erzeugung starker Spannungsfelder in den Graphen-Bauelementen. Um die elektronischen Eigenschaften von Graphen zu verbessern, verwenden wir eine Methode namens Hydrierung, welche die Grenzfläche zwischen Graphen und dem SiC-Substrat modifiziert. Durch Raman-Charakterisierung belegen wir die Entkopplung von Pufferschicht und SiC-Substrat während des Hydrierungsprozesses, wodurch quasi-freistehendes zweilagiges Graphen mit verbesserten elektronischen Raumtemperatureigenschaften entsteht. Im Hinblick auf die Verstärkung der SAW-Spannungsfelder untersuchen wir die Leistungfähigkeit von interdigitalen Schallwandlern (engl. interdigital transducers, IDTs) mit unterschiedlichen Strukturformen, wie z. B. Splitfinger-IDTs mit Doppelfingern, fokussierende IDTs und tapered-IDTs. Die Oberflächenverschiebung entlang der SAW-Ausbreitungsstrecke wird gemessen, um die Fähigkeit dieser IDT-Strukturformen zu demonstrieren, starke Spannungsfelder in einem begrenzten Bereich anzuregen. / This thesis investigates the acousto-electric coupling between charge carriers in graphene and surface acoustic waves (SAWs). Acousto-electric devices based on epitaxial graphene on a SiC substrate are demonstrated, where a piezoelectric ZnO layer is deposited to enhance the SAW generation and propagation. A thin MgO layer is used to protect the graphene during the sputtering of the ZnO layer. By Raman spectroscopy and electronic characterization, we show that the structural and electrical properties of graphene are well preserved after the layer deposition. For two SAW modes with frequencies around 2 GHz, we measure acousto-electric currents in graphene devices placed at the SAW propagation path. A classical relaxation model of the interaction between SAWs and charge carriers in a two-dimensional electron gas is used to explain the results. In order to enhance the acousto-electric currents in our graphene devices, we take approaches in two directions: (1) improving the electronic properties of graphene and (2) exciting strong SAW fields in graphene devices. To improve the electronic properties of graphene, we use a method called hydrogenation to modify the interface between graphene and the SiC substrate. By Raman characterization, we confirm the decoupling of the buffer layer after the hydrogenation process, obtaining quasi-free-standing bilayer graphene with improved electronic properties at room temperature. Regarding the enhancement of the SAW field intensity, we investigate the performance of several types of interdigital transducers (IDTs) such as split-finger IDTs, focusing IDTs and tapered IDTs. Surface displacement along the SAW propagation path is measured to demonstrate the capability of these IDT designs to excite strong SAW fields in a confined area.

No description available.

A eletrocirurgia é uma técnica cirúrgica que utiliza o bisturi elétrico para a realização do corte, dessecação e coagulação do tecido orgânico, diminuindo dessa forma os riscos de hemorragia. O bisturi elétrico usa o processo da faiscância para a realização do trabalho. Esse processo provoca, entre outras coisas, o aquecimento da água intracelular e, consequentemente, o rompimento da célula do tecido. Embora se saiba a quantidade de energia entregue pelo bisturi elétrico, pouco se sabe sobre as parcelas de energia envolvidas nos vários fenômenos do processo eletrocirúrgico, principalmente no corte, onde as células sofrem ablação por vaporização. Com base neste problema, foi desenvolvida esta pesquisa, que teve o objetivo de determinar a energia necessária para o corte eletrocirúrgico, através dos parâmetros elétricos envolvidos e da energia utilizada para a vaporização da água do tecido orgânico. O método desenvolvido foi testado em três experimentos, com várias séries de cortes específicos em cada. Demonstrou-se que da energia total que é entregue pelo bisturi, menos de 10% é utilizada para o corte, ou especificamente, para a vaporização da água do tecido. O restante da energia acaba sendo utilizada em outros processos que começarão a ser analisados em outros trabalhos. / Electrosurgery is a surgical technique that uses an electrosurgical device for cutting, drying (desiccation), and coagulation of organic tissue, thereby reducing the risk of bleeding. Electrosurgical device uses sparking phenomena for this purpose. This process causes heating of intracellular water and, consequently, the rupture of the cell in the organic tissue. Although the amount of energy delivered by the electrosurgical device is easy to know, little is known about the exactly amount of energy involved in the various phenomena of electrosurgical procedure, especially in cutting, where cells suffer ablation by vaporization Based on this was developed this research, which objective is to determine the energy required for the electrosurgical cutting through the electrical parameters involved and the energy used for the vaporization of water of organic tissue. The method developed was corted in three experiments, with a series of specific tests in each. It has been show that only about 10% of total energy is used for cutting, or specifically, for the vaporization of water of organic tissue. The rest of the energy is used in other processes that need more investigation to be understood.

A eletrocirurgia é uma técnica cirúrgica que utiliza o bisturi elétrico para a realização do corte, dessecação e coagulação do tecido orgânico, diminuindo dessa forma os riscos de hemorragia. O bisturi elétrico usa o processo da faiscância para a realização do trabalho. Esse processo provoca, entre outras coisas, o aquecimento da água intracelular e, consequentemente, o rompimento da célula do tecido. Embora se saiba a quantidade de energia entregue pelo bisturi elétrico, pouco se sabe sobre as parcelas de energia envolvidas nos vários fenômenos do processo eletrocirúrgico, principalmente no corte, onde as células sofrem ablação por vaporização. Com base neste problema, foi desenvolvida esta pesquisa, que teve o objetivo de determinar a energia necessária para o corte eletrocirúrgico, através dos parâmetros elétricos envolvidos e da energia utilizada para a vaporização da água do tecido orgânico. O método desenvolvido foi testado em três experimentos, com várias séries de cortes específicos em cada. Demonstrou-se que da energia total que é entregue pelo bisturi, menos de 10% é utilizada para o corte, ou especificamente, para a vaporização da água do tecido. O restante da energia acaba sendo utilizada em outros processos que começarão a ser analisados em outros trabalhos. / Electrosurgery is a surgical technique that uses an electrosurgical device for cutting, drying (desiccation), and coagulation of organic tissue, thereby reducing the risk of bleeding. Electrosurgical device uses sparking phenomena for this purpose. This process causes heating of intracellular water and, consequently, the rupture of the cell in the organic tissue. Although the amount of energy delivered by the electrosurgical device is easy to know, little is known about the exactly amount of energy involved in the various phenomena of electrosurgical procedure, especially in cutting, where cells suffer ablation by vaporization Based on this was developed this research, which objective is to determine the energy required for the electrosurgical cutting through the electrical parameters involved and the energy used for the vaporization of water of organic tissue. The method developed was corted in three experiments, with a series of specific tests in each. It has been show that only about 10% of total energy is used for cutting, or specifically, for the vaporization of water of organic tissue. The rest of the energy is used in other processes that need more investigation to be understood.

CNPq / Este trabalho apresenta um retificador trifásico isolado com correção do fator de potência utilizando um autotransformador Scott e utilizando dois retificadores monofásicos isolados com correção do fator de potência de estágio único (S2). O autotransformador Scott faz uma redução de fases permitindo que se utilizem dois retificadores de estágio único. Os conversores monofásicos utilizados são do tipo Full-Bridge Flyback. O conversor proposto pode operar como elevador ou abaixador de tensão dependendo da relação entre as tensões de entrada e saída do conversor. O controle do conversor foi feito via MCU modelo TMS320F28335. Este trabalho apresenta a análise teórica do conversor operando em modo de condução contínua (CCM), bem como os resultados experimentais baseado em um protótipode 4kw. / This work presents a three-phase isolated rectifier with power factor correction using a Scott autotransformer and two isolated single-phase single-stage (S2) rectifiers. The Scott autotransformer provides a phase reduction allowing the use of two single-phase rectifiers. The single-phase converters used are the Full-Bridge Flyback type. The proposed converter can operate as a step-down or a step-up voltage, according to the relation between input andoutput voltage. The control of the converter was made in a MCU model TMS320F28335. This paper presents the theoretical analysis of the converter for continuous conduction mode (CCM) as well as experimental results based on a 4 kW prototype.

In this work, our initial efforts have been directed to study the behavior of the magnetization as a function of temperature, calculated according to the approximate method of the anisotropy constants and the resolution of a Hamiltonian (that includes the crystal field) as exemplified for the DyAl2 compound. Furthermore, we investigated the magneto-thermal characteristics of some members of the RX2 series (R: rare earth, X: Al, Ni), including spin reorientation (SR), by using a model Hamiltonian, that consists of localized magnetic moments interacting via exchange and crystal field interaction, in the molecular-field approximation. We studied how the SR depends on the direction of the application of magnetic field, the intensity of this field and temperature. For the magnetic calculations, the problem of self-consistency was solved by using a computational routine developed in the Fortran 90 programming language. We emphasize that special attention was directed to the crystal field, because of its high relevance to the anisotropic characteristics of the RX2 studied compounds. Thus, in our attempts to study the peculiarities of the rare earth elements, due to crystal field effects, we have not only considered the intensity change, but the direction change of the applied field. In the cases of both Er+3 and Tb+3 compounds, we obtained second-order or continuous magnetization behavior along the polar angle axis. We stressed that the crystal field terms plays an important role in the first order spin reorientation for Dy+3 and Ho+3 compounds. First, it can be revealed by the discontinuity in the Cartesian components of the magnetization vector as a function of the polar angle. Second, the discontinuity is of great importance in the calculation of latent heat associated to the spin reorientation in the case where the first order transitions were observed. Finally, we were able to separate the first and second order contributions of the anisotropic magnetic entropy change, which is the main result of this work. / Neste trabalho, nossos esforços iniciais foram direcionados a estudar o comportamento da magnetização em função da temperatura, calculado segundo o método aproximativo das constantes de anisotropia e da resolução de um hamiltoniano (que inclui o campo cristalino) como exemplificado para o composto DyAl2. Além disto, investigamos as características magneto-térmicas de alguns integrantes da série RX2 (R: Terra rara; X: Al, Ni), incluindo a reorientação de spin (RS), usando um hamiltoniano modelo que consiste de momentos magnéticos localizados interagentes via interações de troca e de campo cristalino, na aproximação do campo molecular. Estudamos como a RS depende da direção de aplicação do campo magnético, da sua intensidade e da temperatura. Para os cálculos magnéticos, o problema da auto consistência foi solucionado utilizando uma rotina, computacional desenvolvida na linguagem computacional Fortran 90. Ressaltamos que, uma atenção especial foi direcionada ao campo cristalino, por conta da sua alta relevância sobre as características anisotrópicas dos compostos RX2 estudados. Portanto, em nossas tentativas para estudar as peculiaridades dos elementos terras raras, devido aos efeitos do campo cristalino, não consideramos somente a mudança na intensidade, mas a variação na direção do campo aplicado. No caso dos compostos Er+3 e Tb+3, obteve-se um comportamento da magnetização de segunda ordem ou contínuo face à mudança do ângulo polar. Salientamos que os termos de campo cristalino desempenham um papel fundamental na reorientação de spin de primeira ordem para Dy+3 e Ho+3. Primeiro, tal transição pode ser revelada por uma descontinuidade nas componentes cartesianas do vetor de magnetização em função do ângulo polar. Segundo, a descontinuidade é de grande importância para o cálculo do calor latente associado à reorientação spin nos casos em que foram observadas as transições de primeira ordem. Finalmente, foi possível separar as contribuições de primeira e segunda ordem da variação de entropia magnética anisotrópica, o qual é o principal resultado deste trabalho.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The substantial increase demand for electrical energy requires high efficient apparatus dealing with energy conversion. Several technologies have been suggested to implement power supplies with higher efficiency, such as multilevel and interleaved converters. This thesis proposes an energy conversion unit with an optimized number of output voltage levels per number of switches nL=nS. The proposed five-level four-switch per phase converter has nL=nS=5/4 which is by far the best relationship among the converters presented in technical literature. A comprehensive literature review on existing five-level converter topologies is done to compare the proposed topology with conventional multilevel converters. The most important characteristics of the proposed configuration are: (i) reduced number of semiconductor devices, while keeping a high number of levels at the output converter side, (ii) only one DC source without any need to balance capacitor voltages, (iii) high efficiency, (iv) there is no dead-time requirement for the converters operation, (v) leg isolation procedure with lower stress for the DC-link capacitor. Single-phase and three-phase version of the proposed converter is presented in this thesis. Details regarding the operation of the configuration and modulation strategy are presented, as well as the comparison between the proposed converter and the conventional ones. Simulated results are presented to validate the theoretical expectations. In addition a fault tolerant converter based on proposed topology for micro-grid systems is presented. A hybrid pulse-width-modulation for the pre-fault operation and transition from the pre-fault to post-fault operation will be discussed. Selected steady-state and transient results are demonstrated to validate the theoretical modeling.