Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Wireless charging will most definitely enable acceptance and efficient operation of autonomous e-transportation systems moving forward. The biggest contribution of wireless charging would be in extending the range of e-transportation, by facilitating opportunity charging. The two main technology alternatives for wireless power transfer (WPT) are magnetic induction and magnetic resonance. Magnetic resonance is the preferred technology, due to its robustness under large separation and misalignment conditions. However, the ongoing issues and key challenges faced by resonant WPT include: (1) Efficiency under misaligned conditions; (2) Reduction of electromagnetic radiation/thermal losses at high power transfer levels (SAEJ2954 Standard Level-II and above; 7.7 kW to 22.0 kW); and (3) Foreign object detection and subsequent fault handling. In order to address the above challenges, the proposed test-bench will enable development, testing, and verification of new designs and configurations keeping electromagnetic interference/compatibility (EMI/EMC) radiations at the center of consideration. The high-level goals of the usage of the equipment are specifically related to EMI/EMC testing for both static wireless fast charging and in-motion/dynamic wireless charging.***The EMI/EMC test-chamber will enable the development and comprehensive testing of advanced WPT configurations and control techniques for wireless charging of a wide range of electric autonomous modes of e-mobility and smart building/home/office/city infrastructure. This one-of-a-kind, plug-and-play type infrastructure will be made up of modular blocks, offering flexibility to multi-disciplinary researchers in terms of modularity and re-configurability. The entire WPT test infrastructure will sit in an anechoic (electromagnetic interference, EMI-compatible) chamber, which will emulate an open area test site (OATS) to eliminate interference from environmental electromagnetic field pollution. Once designed, tested, and validated within the test chamber, larger, wide-power-ranging WPT systems will be ready to be built and tested within the Ontario Tech-Automotive Center of Excellence (ACE), with real-world loads and weather indices.***The EMI/EMC test chamber will advance the potential for commercialization and adoption of WPT for autonomous e-mobility/e-transportation. Also, since most of the Canadian energy storage and auto industry is located in Ontario, the requested equipment will be strategically located, accessible to key industry partners. The funding from this RTI grant will be used to develop high-quality research facilities at the university and will transform exceptional students into leading industry professionals. The research being performed within the group has been consistently revolutionizing the field of electric transportation in Canada, and the requested equipment will only further foster novel interdisciplinary initiatives in the areas of autonomous e-mobility.**