Project Team
Students
Chase Wirick
Aerospace Engineering
Penn State University Park, Penn State New Kensington
Faculty Mentors
David Snyder
Penn State University Park
IGDP MatSE, ChemE, ARL
Adam Zottola
Penn State New Kensington
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
Project
Project Video
Project Abstract
Chase Wirick
Campus Affiliation: New Kensington
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2022
Mentors: Adam Zottola (New Kensington), David Snyder (University Park)
Project Title: 3-D Printed Power Electronics for Energy Efficient Renewable Energy Grid Integration and
Electricity Transformation
With the addition of three dimensional (3-D) printing technology within the power electronic industry,
many new capabilities and improvements have been made apparent; from rapid prototyping to
increased design flexibility, 3-D printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize and enhance
power electronics. Specifically, the study of the applications of 3-D printing of wide bandgap (WBG)
power electronics can be used to determine the impact on cost effectiveness and electrical efficiency.
WBG power electronics can conceivably dramatically cut back the overall energy consumption, relative
to silicon electronics, and with the addition of 3-D printing, low cost prototypes can be created, and
power electronics can be directly manufactured in low volumes. While 3-D printing of power electronics
has been done before in a roundabout manner, an all-in-one, multi-material power module has yet
designed, fabricated, and optimized for additive manufacturing all while staying within material and
mechanical limitations. By utilizing a quad-tool head nScrypt Additive Manufacturing system, discrete
WBG devices will be integrated within numerous 3-D printed power electronic circuits and modules to
test and eventually maximize electronic efficiency.
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