Previous Research Projects

Prof. Cao and his group have worked on multiple power electronics and power systems related projects since 2009 for both academia and industry. Please find them below.

* RAFT: Reconfigurable Array of High-efficiency Ducted Turbines for Hydrokinetic Energy Harvesting (sponsored by DOE ARPA-E SHARKS) (2021-2024)
Our group designs direct drives (AC-DC-AC) for arrayed hydrokinetic turbines with grid connection, achieving high-efficiency, high-reliability, and low-cost, as well as intelligent generator control. The work involves multi-physics modeling, control, optimization, and hardware prototypes.

* NAVFAC Marine Energy Hybrid Microgrid (sponsored by US Navy) (2022-2024)
Our group models and designs hybrid DER based microgrid solutions for naval facilities.

* Large-signal PV Inverter Enhanced Grid Model for Rural Area Voltage Stability Analysis and Control (sponsored by Portland General Electric) (2021-2023)
Our group investigates the effect of rural PV's effect on distribution grid, using grid-forming approach and L-index stability criteria.

* Pulsed Power DC Microgrid for Remote Area Highway Fast Charging Stations (sponsored by Portland General Electric)
(2021-2023)
Our group models and designs the fast charging stations (for heavy-duty trucks) using hybrid energy storage and advanced power converters, with impact on grid asset especially in rural areas.

* LOCOMOTIVES - Lowering CO2: Models to Optimize Train Infrastructure, Vehicles, and Energy Storage: Multi-Decadal Decarbonization Pathways for U.S. Freight Rail (sponsored by DOE ARPA-E LOCOMOTIVES) (2021-2022)
Our group models different energy storage types, grid connections, renewables, charging facilities, as well as propulsion drives for futuristic e-trains and associated infrastructures. This work involves multi-physics modeling and design optimization.


* A Mission Profile Based Reliability Modeling Framework for Fault-tolerant Electric Propulsion (sponsored by Amazon Prime Air) (2019-2021)

     


* Machine Learning Enabled Design Automation and Multi-Objective Optimization for Electric Transportation Power Systems (sponsored by OSU Foundation) (2019-2021)

       


* State-of-the-art power electronics educational toolbox with Si and SiC devices (sponsored by OSU Learning Innovation Award) (2019-2021)

    


* High-frequency Low-ripple Variable-phase Motor Drives: Exploring Improvement in PMSM Drive Performance and Reliability Enabled by Futuristic Power Electronics (sponsored by Grainger Foundation) (2020-2021)
     


* Control Architectures of Solar-Powered HVAC Systems: A DC-DC Converter’s Perspective (sponsored by OSU Foundation) (2020-2021)
       


* Energy Storage Analysis for Wave Energy Converters (sponsored by DOE EERE WPTO TEAMER) (2021)
Our group models and analyzes different architectures of supercapacitors and DC-DC converters for commercial wave energy converters.

* Offshore Research: CSEM for Geohazard Identification – Pulsed Power with Supercapacitor (sponsored by DOE NETL) (2021-2022)
Our group models and designs a supercapacitor+power electronics (AC/DC and DC/DC) enabled pulsed power solution for geophysics equipment.


* An Interleaved Open and Short-Circuit Ride-Through Scheme for a Sensorless Fault-Tolerant PMSM Drive (sponsored by Amazon Prime Air) (2019-2020)


* Advanced propulsion systems (converters, motor drives, and system modeling) for heavy-duty eVTOL urban aerial vehicles (UAVs) (sponsored by Amazon Prime Air) (2019-2020)

A white and light blue Prime Air drone in front of a black background. Six propellers and a main body are visible in the center of the drone.