One of 259 Grants Totaling $53 Million Nationwide to Support Scientific Innovation in Clean Energy Development and Climate Solutions
June 1, 2022 -- U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced that CorePower Magnetics will receive $200 thousand as part of 259 Department of Energy grants totaling $53 million to 210 small businesses in 38 states. The awards include projects relating to particle accelerators and fusion technology, applied nanoscience, quantum information applications, and dark matter research along with a wide range of other efforts.
“Supporting small businesses will ensure we are tapping into all of America’s talent to develop clean energy technologies that will help us tackle the climate crisis,” said Steve Binkley, Acting Director of the DOE’s Office of Science. “DOE’s investments will enable these economic engines to optimize and commercialize their breakthroughs, while developing the next generation of science leaders and ensuring U.S. scientific and economic competitiveness that will benefit all Americans.”
Through the SBIR/STTR program across the federal government, small business powers the U.S. economy and generates thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, the DOE notes. DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards aim at transforming DOE-supported science and technology breakthroughs into viable products and services. The awards also support the development of specialized technologies and instruments that aid in scientific discovery.
CorePower Magnetics will receive $200 thousand to design new transformers that will enable adoption of power electronic devices based on state-of-the-art semiconductors. Wide band gap semiconductors, such as Silicon Carbide (SiC), and CorePower magnetic components can operate at higher temperatures and frequencies, making the technologies natural partners in addressing needs for applications where reduced size and weight matter, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and renewables. The University of Arkansas will support the program with novel designs that are optimized to take advantage of the full system level benefits. With prices of SiC semiconductors dropping and becoming commercially viable for high volume applications, a unique opportunity exists to drive adoption of the technology. CorePower will combine these advantages with new transformer designs leveraging proprietary magnetic materials and manufacturing technology to increase performance and promote widespread commercialization with impacts on solar integration and EVs, and enhancing the domestic supply chain.
“CorePower components are a clear enabler for SiC devices, unlocking the full potential of wide-band gap technology,” said Sam Kernion, President & CEO of CorePower Magnetics. "Partnering with the University of Arkansas, we see a clear pathway to demonstrate compelling power electronics designs for medium voltage applications across multiple markets, including the power grid and electric vehicles."
“The awarded project seeks to integrate and commercialize CorePower Magnetics’ nanocrystalline technology following over a decade of DOE investment with University of Arkansas wide bandgap power electronics converter designs,” said Paul Ohodnicki, CTO of CorePower Magnetics. “We are honored to have the opportunity to participate in the DOE SBIR / STTR program and to shepherd these technologies out of the laboratory and into the commercial sector for real-world impacts.”
More information about all the projects announced by DOE is available at the following link: https://science.osti.gov/sbir