Draft:Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics
| Submission declined on 28 September 2024 by Cowboygilbert (talk). This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies. This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are:
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics
[edit]The Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics (commonly abbreviated as P3E) is a research center located at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. P3E specializes in the domains of plasma, power electronics, and pulsed power research.
The center’s origins trace back to 1966, when it operated as a Plasma research group within Texas Tech University. During its early stages, P3E focused on various research areas, including studying harmonic ion cyclotron resonances in compact mirror apparatuses, exploring laser-induced heating in magnetized plasma, and experimenting with pellet introduction in high-density, thermally active plasmas.[1]
History
[edit]The Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics was established in 1966 as a Plasma research unit within Texas Tech University.[2] Early research focused on areas such as compact mirror mechanisms, laser heating of magnetized plasma, and the effects of pellet injection in thermally charged, densely concentrated plasmas.[1]
In 1977, the development and use of a small Tokamak facilitated extensive studies on wave propagation within the ion cyclotron frequency range. Over the years, the Center expanded its research to include compact pulsed power, high power microwave generation, electric breakdown, wide bandgap switches, explosively driven pulsed power generators, ionospheric applications, and power electronics.
The early 1970s marked a shift towards Pulsed Power, driven by studies on controlled thermonuclear fusion with high beta. These efforts highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of the physical phenomena inherent in pulsed power technology.
The Center’s work has always been interdisciplinary, involving faculty from various academic departments. In 1998, a new research initiative at Texas Tech focused on explosively driven pulsed power, particularly Magnetic Flux Compression Generators and methods for adapting their outputs to different loads. Other explosive generators, such as ferroelectric and ferromagnetic generators, were also studied. More recently, the Center has explored the machining boundaries of dry machined polymer-bonded high explosives (HEs).[1]
Research and Personnel
[edit]Pulsed power research at the Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics focuses on the storage, shaping, transmission, and measurement of high voltage, high current pulses to deliver electrical energy to a load or applicator. This energy is transferred in high power short pulses, supporting various applications such as laser drivers, high power microwave generators, particle accelerators, nuclear fusion, weapons effects, lightning simulations, industrial manufacturing technology, and electromagnetic mass drivers. The voltages and currents involved can reach Mega-Volt and Mega-Ampere ranges, with time scales as short as the sub-nanosecond regime, requiring careful material selection, shielding, and measurement techniques. One significant area within this domain is the development of high power (> 100 MW) microwave sources, which have notable military applications.[1]
In addition to pulsed power, power electronics is a key research area within the center. This field focuses on high efficiency power supply and capacitor charger designs, rotating machines, and specialized high average power solid state circuit designs. These applications include the conversion and control of electric power, renewable energy systems, energy storage, and electric vehicles.[1]
The Plasma, Power Electronics, and Pulsed Power Group at Texas Tech comprises a team of eight faculty members with expertise in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), and Physics. The team also includes an average of 20 graduate students and 10 undergraduate student assistants.[3] The center’s technical and administrative staff consists of one machinist, two technicians, one business manager, and one buyer.[3]
Current Research
[edit]Currently, the Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics receives annual funding approaching $4.5 million for their Plasma, Power Electronics, and Pulsed Power Research Programs. The Center's work encompasses a wide array of topics, including but not limited to:[4]
- Research on shape charges
- Development of electric space propulsion devices
- Breakdown studies in solids and liquids
- Exploration of industrial uses for pulsed power technology
- Development of novel switch concepts
- Investigation of the interaction between arc channels, electrodes, and insulators
- Studies of high power microwaves
- Research on the surface physics of insulators
- Development of electrodes and insulators for electromagnetic launchers
- Development of insulators for high-voltage applications in space
- Research in solid state power electronics
- Studies on erosion-resistant materials for space propulsion
- Investigation of sub-nanosecond pulse phenomena
- Electron beam generation studies
- Inductive energy storage research
- Explosive generation of pulsed power studies
- Research on explosive magnetic flux compression generators
- Studies on explosive ferromagnetic and piezoelectric generators
- Research on corona formation and mitigation
- Modelling of circuits and rotating machines
- Liquid breakdown studies
Past and Current Programs
[edit]Over the years, the Texas Tech University Pulsed Power Laboratory, part of the Center, has hosted numerous programs. Examples of past projects include the development of relativistic klystrons, exploration of nanosecond and sub-nanosecond breakdowns in dielectric media, and development of high current triggered vacuum spark gaps, among many others. The laboratory has also been engaged in ongoing programs, such as the development of efficient power supplies for electric propulsion thrusters and research on solid-state cryoelectronics design.[4]
Graduate Studies
[edit]The Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics provides an environment for graduate students, offering opportunities to collaborate with researchers from various industries and national laboratories.
Over the past decade, the Pulsed Power and Power Electronics Research Program at Texas Tech University has yielded approximately 120 theses and dissertations. An assortment of graduate courses related to Plasma, Power Electronics, and Pulsed Power are available, including but not limited to:
- Electromagnetic Field Theory
- Pulsed Power Technology
- Gaseous Electronics
- High Power Microwave Sources
- Power Semiconductors
- Power Electronics
- Plasma Engineering
- Laser Spectroscopy
- Machine Modeling and Control[4]
Students pursuing studies at the Center receive exposure to topics in the fields of Plasma, Power Electronics, and Pulsed Power.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "P3E Brochure" (PDF). P3E website. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "History | About the College | Whitacre College of Engineering | TTU". www.depts.ttu.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
- ^ a b "Texas Tech University Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics". www.p3e.ttu.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ a b c d "P3E Overview". P3E website. Retrieved 29 May 2023.