Electric vehicles (EVs) offer significant advantages over conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, including zero emissions and convenient overnight charging. However, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed. These challenges include limited driving ranges, slow refueling options while on-the-go, concerns related to the supply of lithium for batteries, and emissions associated with certain sources of electricity generation, such as coal. Adding on-board solar generation and/or fuel cell range extenders to EVs can help to mitigate some of these challenges, but also adds the need for optimal power electronic converters to manage the power flow of these multiple on-board energy sources, which is the focus of this thesis. This thesis first performs a comprehensive review of EV onboard chargers (OBCs) including charger system requirements by different standards and codes and different DC/DC power converters in the current infrastructures. Various power levels are compared and evaluated based on their component ratings, efficiency, cost, and power density. Secondly, there has been recent interest in harnessing solar power within electric vehicles, leading to the emergence of solar-charged electric vehicles (SEVs), which can offer extended driving ranges and less need for grid charging. These vehicles also offer a new opportunity for distributed generation when their traction batteries are fully charged, and the plugged-in vehicle is still generating solar energy. However, this also presents a unique power electronic dilemma. The OBC must exhibit high efficiency in two scenarios: firstly, during normal charging from the grid at power levels around 6.6 kW, and secondly, during vehicle-to-grid operation at significantly lower solar power levels, typically below 800 W. Unfortunately, conventional OBC designs tend to have low efficiency when operating at light loads. To tackle this challenge, this thesis proposes a novel bidirectional LLC-based converter, for use within the OBC, that achieves higher vehicle-to-grid efficiency at light loads than a traditional dual bridge converter. Detailed PLECS simulation results and experimental results are presented to verify the circuit. Thirdly, the presence of manufacturing variations can introduce parameter mismatches, resulting in voltage imbalances across capacitors in the proposed converter, or in other resonant converters with multiple transformer windings and two series-connected capacitors with a center connection. Such voltage imbalances pose significant concerns regarding safety and reliability. However, the existing capacitor balancing strategies developed for other converter topologies are not directly applicable to these new resonant multi-winding topologies. To address this issue, this thesis presents a novel method for achieving capacitor voltage balancing in a resonant multi-winding converter. The proposed method employs a straightforward approach to determine the appropriate balancing switching states. Time domain analysis is conducted to quantify the number of control cycles required, and an adaptive control strategy is introduced to enhance the balancing performance. The effectiveness of the proposed method and the beneficial effects on the converter's efficiency and bus capacitor sizes are validated through experimental investigations involving multiple bus capacitor sizes. Finally, though SEVs offer advantages over non-solar EVs, some challenges remain such as lithium supply concerns for large batteries, slow recharging, and driving range that is still limited compared to conventional vehicles. Fuel cell range-extended vehicles (FCREVs) can add a small fuel cell and hydrogen tank to allow quick refueling for long trips, and still use a reduced-size plug-in battery for the majority of short trips. This allows the driver to use efficient and convenient overnight charging for most daily commutes, and refuel with hydrogen on long-distance driving days if hydrogen stations are available. The smaller battery means that lithium requirements are reduced. Further, by adding on-board solar generation to a FCREV (S-FCREV), range can be further extended and grid charging requirements can be reduced. However, using conventional separate converters for a S-FCREV would be complex and costly, having a high number of semiconductor devices. To overcome this, the thesis proposes a practical multi-port converter that fulfills S-FCREV requirements with reduced components. A novel triple PWM and triple phase shift (TPTPS) control is proposed. Simulation and experimental results validate the proposed topology's operation and efficiency, offering a promising solution for integrating power electronics in S-FCREV applications. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In the pursuit of sustainable transportation, recent scholarly investigations have placed significant emphasis on the advancement of electric vehicles (EVs) with a particular focus on solar-charged EVs and fuel cell range-extended vehicles (FCREVs) in order to help mitigate some of the drawbacks of battery EVs such as limited driving range, long refueling times, and charging impacts on the grid. Power electronic converters play a crucial role in managing the transfer of power between multiple energy sources, such as on-board solar panels, fuel cells, batteries, and connection to the grid. The objective of this thesis is to propose novel topologies and control for power electronic converters in solar-charged EVs and solar-charged FCREVs. Firstly, a novel bidirectional DC/DC topology is proposed for solar-charged EVs that allows a high-efficiency transfer of excess solar energy to the grid when the EV battery is full. Additionally, a novel control methodology for balancing the DC bus capacitors is introduced, aiming to reduce capacitor size and mitigate circulating unbalanced currents. Lastly, this thesis presents the pioneering practical implementation of a multi-port converter for a solar-charged FCREV, along with its adaptable control approach, enabling efficient power flow management among the grid, on-board battery, solar panels, and fuel cell.

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is an important crop in Mississippi. Economic losses are incurred every year due to the feeding and treatment of crop pests and plant pathogens. Because it is often unclear what differentiates a pest from a pathogen, I will use the umbrella term “biotic stressor” or BST when referring to a plant pest or pathogen. BSTs employ a special set of proteins known as ‘effectors’ that function at the site of BST physical attack. Effectors dictate how the host-BST relationship will unfold. Effectors include the proteins produced by the BST that are recognized by the plant and invoke the subsequent plant immune responses to the BST. Moreover, some effectors are responsible for the successful modification of the host tissues for the survival of the pest. In this study I utilized Illumina sequencing and computational biology approaches to identify effectors within three evolutionarily diverse cotton BSTs; specifically, Lygus lineolaris (tarnished plant bug), Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum (Xcm) (bacterial cotton blight), and Rotylenchulus reniformis (reniform nematode). Transcripts from the Lygus lineolaris salivary gland were found to encode putative degradative proteins used for the extra-oral digestion of host tissues by the insect. Production, assembly, and comparison of a whole genome assembly of the first Xcm genome obtained from a strain isolated in the cotton producing region of the United States revealed that the cotton Xcm is similar to other reported Xcm assemblies and contains most of the proteins found in these other strains. Genome and life-stage specific transcriptome sequencing of the nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis resulted in the identification of 41,570 transcripts of which 3,033 were up-regulated in the parasitic sedentary female life-stage. These studies collectively provide insight into the mechanisms by which key cotton BSTs invade and damage cotton. Further study of the BST effectors and the plant biomolecules with which they interact should facilitate development of highly targeted mechanisms of minimizing/eliminating BST damage. Such customized BST management will increase profits for farmers and maximize resource utilization in an environmentally responsible manner.

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Recent research and industrial accomplishment has revealed the advantages of cascaded smart converter PV system over traditional centralized and string PV system. However, even by adopting the cascaded smart converter, it is not always possible to track maximum power point (MPP) for all the panels under heavy shading condition, and a central converter is still required to track the peak power point of PV array. Based on the analysis of system configurations for smart converter PV system, an alternative PV system configuration is introduced which can extract peak power from all the panels under different mismatch condition and connect PV array to 380V DC bus without central converter. Based on this alternative PV system configuration, a multi-phase smart converter with single controller is proposed as a low cost panel-level MPPT solution. This proposal can largely reduce cost by saving MPPT controllers, current and voltage sensors without sacrificing energy production. The effectiveness of the proposal has been verified by both simulation and experiment results. / Master of Science

The global market of solar energy systems is currently experiencing a rapid growth, driven bythe increasing demand for renewable energy. To monitor the rapid expansion of solar energy, aerial imagery combined with deep machine learning can be utilized. This study aims to assess the market penetration and remaining potential for roof-mounted  decentralized solar energy across various market segments using these advanced technologies. Furthermore, the purpose is to assess the impact of socio-economic factors on the adoption of solar energy systems. The findings reveal that the photovoltaic system penetration rates are generally consistent across all the studied distributed market segments in Sweden, with a slightly higher rate for public buildings. The penetration of solar thermal systems is lower in comparison and are most common among single-family dwellings. Significant potential remains for rooftop solar installations, with 64.1% of roof area available and suitable for solar energy. Regarding the number of buildings, 76.9% of all buildings either lack or can enlarge an already existing solar energy system. The remaining potential across the market segments varies slightly due to different proportions of areas that are unsuitable for solar energy. The penetration rates are highest in central city areas, but with just slightly lower rates in urban and rural areas. Socio-economic factors such as educational level, employment rate, median income, and the proportion of people aged 65+ are shown to influence solar energy adoption.

Polyethylenvinylacetat (EVA) ist das in der kristallinen Silizium Photovoltaik am häufigsten eingesetzte Einbettmaterial. Aufgrund der Applikation von Solarmodulen unterliegt das Polymer Alterungsmechanismen, die zu Änderungen oder Verlust wichtiger Eigenschaften führen können. Folge sind typische Fehlerbilder wie Delamination oder Yellowing, die zu Leistungsverlusten oder Modulausfällen führen können. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Einfluss von Umweltparametern (Temperatur, Feuchte, UV-Strahlung) und Stabilisatoren auf die Alterung von EVA-Folie zu untersuchen und damit einen Beitrag zur Identifikation der zugrundeliegenden Fehlermechanismen zu liefern. Dazu wurden sowohl Folien mit definierter und variierender Additivierung als auch kommerzielle Folien künstlichen Bewitterungstests unterzogen und die Änderungen verschiedener Eigenschaften analysiert. Dazu zählt die Haftung an der Grenzfläche EVA-Glas, das Transmissionsverhalten und die Farbänderung der Folie. Darüber hinaus wurden alterungsbedinge Änderungen an der chemischen Struktur von EVA und den Stabilisatoren mittels FTIR-Spektroskopie und GC/MS-Messungen erfasst. Bei den untersuchten Additiven handelte es sich um ein organisches Peroxid (Vernetzer), einen Haftvermittler auf Silanbasis, einen UV-Absorber aus der Gruppe der Hydroxybenzophenone, ein Arylphosphit als Antioxidant und einen bi-funktionellen Stabilisator, das sogenannte HALS (hindered amine light stabilizer). Im Rahmen der Arbeit ist es gelungen Ursache-Wirkungs-Zusammenhänge zwischen der Folienadditivierung und dem Auftreten verschiedener Fehlerbilder zu identifizieren. Darüber hinaus war es möglich eine Folienzusammensetzung zu definieren, die die bestmögliche Stabilität beim Einsatz von EVA als Einbettmaterial bieten sollte.

This thesis is a study on integration of photovoltaic generators into an existing diesel-unreliable grid connected system at the Lebanese village of Khiam. The main goal of implementing PV-diesel hybrid system is to reduce diesel consumption and the import of fossil fuel used in electricity power supply. Before designing the system, it is necessary to create a load profile for 120 households and pre-design the size of the PV generator, the capacity of storage system and inverter type/size selection. The load profile data is based on the average of monthly energy consumption gathered from Khiam village households. Detailed simulations and financial analysis are performed with HOMER to compare different systems and their viability. The simulations include four different designs starting from the existing system, diesel generator with unreliable grid, followed by PV generator and unreliable grid, PV and diesel generator and ended with the complete hybrid system. Once the Hybrid system is determined a detailed design is done to optimize the lowest cost PV-diesel hybrid system. The final simulated PV-diesel hybrid system is suggested with a PV capacity of 270 kWp, existing diesel capacity with 200 kVA, an inverter output of 115 kW and battery bank nominal capacity is 1872 kWh. The system renewable fraction is 53% and the project life cycle is 25 years. The PV-diesel hybrid system is projected to produce electricity at a cost of 0.12 USD/kWh. This cost is significantly lower than the 0.26 USD/kWh paid to the diesel operator, as well as lower than 0.13 USD/kWh paid to the utility grid. In addition, and according to the given information from the owner, an estimated diesel consumption of 104000 ltr/year, the simulation result shows diesel consumption at 40000 ltr/year. The reduced carbon dioxide production by 65%, from 776 to 272 tons per year, provides further justification for the PV installation in a commercial PV-diesel hybrid system.

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri (Xac) é uma bactéria fitopatógênica que causa de cancro cítrico em plantações no mundo inteiro. Trinta e cinco proteínas alvo foram selecionadas para estudos de proteômica estrutural a partir do genoma de Xac. As proteínas foram clonadas, expressas e testadas usando uma nova metodologia de triagem de proteínas que permite que espectros de RMN 2D 15N-HSQC sejam coletados antes da purificação da proteína em estudo. Esta abordagem possibilitou determinar quais proteínas alvo melhor se adequavam para estudos estruturais futuros por RMN e/ou cristalografia de raios X de forma rápida e eficaz. A proteína ClpS de Xac, descrita como moduladora da atividade da protease bacteriana ClpAP, foi uma das proteínas selecionadas para estudos estruturais por RMN usando esta metodologia. O assinalamento das ressonâncias da cadeia principal e das cadeias laterais desta proteína usando experimentos de tripla ressonância e dados de dinâmica e de troca H/D forneceram informações sobre a sua estrutura secundária. Um modelo tridimensional foi gerado por modelagem por homologia a partir de um homólogo de E. coli e foi validado por acoplamentos dipolares residuais (DHN ) obtidos experimentalmente. Todos os dados RMN sugerem que a região N-terminal de ClpS se apresenta desestruturada. O mapeamento por RMN da interação de ClpS com a sua parceira ClpA é também apresentado. / Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri (Xac) is a phytopathogenic bacterium that causes citrus canker around the world. Thirty-five target proteins for structural proteomics studies have been selected from the Xac genome. The target proteins were cloned, expressed and tested using a novel screening methodology that allows for 2D 15N-HSQC NMR spectra to be collected prior to the purification of the target protein. This approach allowed us to determine which target proteins were amenable for future structural studies by NMR and/or X-ray crystallography in a fast and efficient manner. The ClpS protein, which has been described as a modulator of substrate specificity of the bacterial protease ClpAP, was one of the proteins selected structural studies by NMR using this methodology. Backbone and side-chain assignment derived from 3D triple resonance NMR experiments and dynamic data from hydrogen-deuterium exchange NMR experiments have provided information on the secondary structure elements of this protein. A model for Xac ClpS was generated by homology modeling from an E. coli homogue and validated using experimentally obtained DHN residual dipolar couplings. All NMR data suggest that the N-terminal region of the protein ClpS is highly unstructured. NMR mapping of the interaction of ClpS with its partner protein ClpA is also presented.