Five research projects have been selected to receive funding from the University at Buffalo's RENEW Institute, an interdisciplinary institute dedicated to solving complex environmental problems. Led by UB's Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the RENEW Institute seeks to promote interdisciplinary research activities to position UB as a global leader in select areas of energy, environment and water.
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are expected to be integrated into the future electric grid for economic, energy and environmental security. Improved power electronics, which are systems that control power, is needed to seamlessly integrate these different sources to the future grid. At the heart of power electronics is a transistor, which is a switch that regulates the power flow. Energy is lost during this process. The power transistor needs to be efficient. The present technology based on silicon has reached its limits. Emerging ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor gallium oxide (GaO) is predicted to significantly increase the efficiency of power electronics beyond the capability of silicon.
This program aims to achieve this by: Investigating the fundamental materials properties of the GaO semiconductor and developing doping technologies. Researchers will carry out theoretical studies of the physics of doping. Building upon the knowledge and understanding gained from these studies, next generation power transistors will be fabricated.
The project’s principal investigator is Uttam Singisetti, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. Co-principal investigators are Joseph A. Gardella, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Frances Larkin Professor of Chemistry at UB, and Peihong Zhang, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Physics.
“This second round of RENEW seed projects addresses exciting new areas of investigation for interdisciplinary teams of UB investigators working across decanal units,†said Amit Goyal, PhD, director of RENEW, which stands for Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water. “We anticipate that each of these projects will lay the foundation for successful grant applications in the areas of energy, environment and water sustainability.â€
The institute’s interdisciplinary focus — involving the faculties of the School of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Law School, School of Management, School of Public Health and Health Professions and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences — is designed to foster new collaborations and produce new ideas.
The initiative, which taps the leadership and vision of deans and over 100 faculty at these seven UB schools and colleges, plans to welcome 15-20 new faculty members over the next five years.
