Renewable energy generation systems, based on photovoltaic sources, currently represent the most suitable solution, for low power levels, to reduce the energy consumption produced by oil and gas. Moreover, they are becoming more and more attractive as the price per watt of the photovoltaic modules is decreasing. However, the conversion efficiency of commercial photovoltaic modules is still rath...

We present a comprehensive study of second-order nonlinear difference frequency generation in triply resonant cavities using a theoretical framework based on coupled-mode theory. We show that optimal "quantum-limited" conversion efficiency can be achieved at any pump power when the powers at the pump and idler frequencies satisfy a critical relationship. We demonstrate the existence of a broad ...

The phase shift full bridge (PSFB) converter allows high efficiency power conversion at high frequencies through zero voltage switching (ZVS); the parasitic drain-to-source capacitance of the MOSFET is discharged by a resonant inductance before the switch is gated resulting in near zero turn-on switching losses. Typically, an extra inductance is added to the leakage inductance of a transformer ...

We study resonant mode conversion in the  -symmetric multimode waveguides, where symmetry breaking manifests itself in sequential destabilization (appearance of the complex eigenvalues) of the pairs of adjacent guided modes. We show that the efficient mode conversion is possible even in the presence of the resonant longitudinal modulation of the complex refractive index. The distinguishing fe...

The idea of using a resonant cavity to enhance conversion efficiency in cw second-harmonic generation was first discussed by Ashkin et al.,' who found that the conversion efficiency can be greatly increased by resonating either the fundamental or the harmonic field. Because of its simplicity, the scheme of employing a resonator to build up the fundamental power is the one most widely used in pr...

A vibration-driven electret generator has been developed for energy harvesting applications. By using parylene as the spring material, a low-resonant-frequency MEMS generator is realized. Large inplane amplitude of 0.8 mm at the resonant frequency as low as 37 Hz has been achieved. With our early prototype, output power of 0.28 μW has been obtained. We also demonstrate electret-powered operatio...

This paper reviews the state of the art in piezoelectric energy harvesting. It presents the basics of piezoelectricity and discusses materials choice. The work places emphasis on material operating modes and device configurations, from resonant to non-resonant devices and also to rotational solutions. The reviewed literature is compared based on power density and bandwidth. Lastly, the question...

The proposed zero-current switching switched-capacitor (ZCS SC) DC-DC converter is an innovative bi-directional power flow control conversion scheme. A zero-current switching switched-capacitor stepup/step-down bi-directional converter is presented that can improve the current stress problem during bi-directional power flow control processing. It can provide a high voltage conversion ratio of n...

This paper presents design and implementation of an Integrated Boost Resonant Converter (IBR) incorporated with Hybrid Frequency Modulation for photovoltaic applications. The designed Integrated Boost Resonant Converter employs a unique modulation method for extending the input range of Pulse-Width Modulation, low component count, galvanic isolation, simple control and high efficiency across a ...