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Build a better DC-AC inverter contest

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Myke

Fri Jul 25 2014, 06:58PM

Registered Member #540 Joined: Mon Feb 19 2007, 07:49PM
Location: MIT
Posts: 969

I'm pretty sure GaN's good for high voltage applications since the bandgap is 3.4eV. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like high voltage devices are commercially available yet (EPC says they have 600V and greater devices in development).

Yeah, I'm thinking that this is a more academic research design project but it's definitely possible for a hobbyist to have a good shot at such a power density. They would have to have some specialized tools to work with RF power electronics though.

Carbon_Rod

Sat Jul 26 2014, 10:25AM

Registered Member #65 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:43AM
Location:
Posts: 1155

Myke wrote ...

I'm thinking that this is a more academic research design project...

The rules do seem rather odd from a design perspective... as most modern engineering goals are driven by cost optimization problems. Accordingly, the winning entry may be impractical for mass production if it uses an unobtanium based component.

I don't think they define cryogenic temperatures for superconductors as cheating... yet...

klugesmith

Sat Jul 26 2014, 03:19PM

Registered Member #2099 Joined: Wed Apr 29 2009, 12:22AM
Location: Los Altos, California
Posts: 1714

Candidate devices will be tested under load for 100 hours, with free air circulation but no external fan.
The rules specify a range of air temperature, but not (yet) the test site elevation or air pressure.

THe Little Box Challenge is a contest of smallness, with the qualifying bar set pretty high.
I think the real-world importance of smallness is debatable,
but the parameter is easier to measure and invites more creativity
than, say, efficiency.

Who remembers the million-dollar Netflix prize?
I just stumbled upon this follow-up critique:

hboy007

Sat Jul 26 2014, 08:12PM

Registered Member #1667 Joined: Sat Aug 30 2008, 09:57PM
Location:
Posts: 373

Cui bono? If there's 1M in for the price, the real value ought to be much higher. So who gets the 99%?

Steve Conner

Fri Aug 01 2014, 06:34PM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

I think the idea is that the PV industry ought to make at least 99 million in cost savings.

But you might as well ask when Google will see a return on their investment in Google Glass and self-driving car technology.

Hazmatt_(The Underdog)

Sat Aug 02 2014, 03:32PM

Registered Member #135 Joined: Sat Feb 11 2006, 12:06AM
Location: Anywhere is fine
Posts: 1735

Yea, if you do enter, and work very hard at your design, expect some rich tycoon to steal your work.
All this is, is a bait scheme.

CM did the same thing years back with his "Clean Renewable Energy Challenge" contest, of which I proposed current, easily practicable techniques for geothermal energy extraction in a closed loop system, that works 24 hours a day. I have not seen the $10,000 promised, and never will.

Patrick

Sat Aug 02 2014, 10:13PM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

Hazmatt_(The Underdog) wrote ...

Yea, if you do enter, and work very hard at your design, expect some rich tycoon to steal your work.
All this is, is a bait scheme.

CM did the same thing years back with his "Clean Renewable Energy Challenge" contest, of which I proposed current, easily practicable techniques for geothermal energy extraction in a closed loop system, that works 24 hours a day. I have not seen the $10,000 promised, and never will.

Who is "CM" ? i like to keep track of reputations, the good and the bad.

Carbon_Rod

Sun Aug 03 2014, 12:17AM

Registered Member #65 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:43AM
Location:
Posts: 1155

@Hazmatt
I know some of the world's leading engineers who have built numerous geothermal systems.
The story I know... is when a $40 million government subsidized agricultural project was sabotaged by a natural gas company. i.e. they directly approached the partner company and offered fixed fuel prices for 10 years (at 90% discount). Around 130 engineers lost 2 years of design and preparation work about 2 months prior to the main well being made. Accordingly, my Prof at the time had a personal hatred for that pointless scam they pulled.

This contest is a â€œBlack Boxâ€ demonstration, and does not require full disclosure.

Ash Small

Sun Aug 03 2014, 01:11AM

Registered Member #3414 Joined: Sun Nov 14 2010, 05:05PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4245

This is all about optimizing ferrite losses, I think. Switching losses, etc will play a part too, and, obviously, minimizing copper losses, etc.

Not so much max power as min losses

Steve Conner

Sun Aug 03 2014, 09:42AM

Registered Member #30 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706

I think I would trust Google to stump up a million bucks more than I'd have trusted CM. For a start, Google probably have the money.

Patrick, CM was a free energy entrepreneur who appeared to be living in a trailer somewhere. We eventually banned him from 4hv because he was so full of s***.

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