Charles R. Sullivan

Research Interests

Power electronics; electromagnetic design of power electronics components; micro-fabricated magnetic components; nanocomposite magnetic materials; energy efficiency and renewable energy

Education

BS, Electrical Engineering, Princeton University 1987
PhD, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California Berkeley 1996

Awards

Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (NAI), 2022
Outstanding Forum Presenter Award, International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), 2021
IEEE PELS Modeling and Control Technical Achievement Award, 2018
Fellow, IEEE, 2014
Sigma Xi, 2001
IEEE Power Electronics Society Prize Paper Award, 2000
National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 1999

Professional Activities

Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors
Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Associate Editor, Transactions on Power Electronics
Administrative Committee, Power Electronics Society
Awards Chair, Power Electronics Devices and Components Committee, Industry Applications Society
Member, Magnetics Society
Member, Industrial Electronics Society

Startups

Resonant Link
Senior Scientist

Research Projects

Microfabricated magnetic components using nanomaterials

Microfabricated magnetic components using nanomaterials

Microfabricated magnetic components using nanomaterials make it possible to miniaturize power-handling magnetic components through taking advantage of the materials' high-flux-density and high-frequency capabilities. We are developing practical methods of depositing these materials and fabricating inductors and transformers on silicon chips or in other technologies.
Passive high-frequency power components

Passive high-frequency power components

Passive high-frequency power components are often the limiting factors in reducing the power loss, size, cost, and weight of high-frequency electronic power converters. Through detailed analysis, modeling, and optimization of high-frequency effects in inductors, transformers, and capacitors, we are improving performance of these components and making it easier to design the efficient, low-cost power electronics needed for a wide range of applications including energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Selected Publications

Kącki, M., Ryłko, M.S., Hayes, J.G., Sullivan, C.R. Analysis and Experimental Investigation of High-Frequency Magnetic Flux Distribution in Mn-Zn Ferrite Cores. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 38(1), 703-716, 2022.
R.S. Yang, A.B. Nadler, C.R. Sullivan and D.J. Perreault, "Permanent Magnet Hybrid Core Inductors for High Saturation Capability," IEEE Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL), 2022.
Chen, Minjie, and Charles R. Sullivan. "Unified models for coupled inductors applied to multiphase PWM converters." IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics 36.12: 14155-14174, 2021.
A.L.F. Stein, P.A. Kyaw and C.R. Sullivan, "Wireless Power Transfer Utilizing a High-Q Self-Resonant Structure," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 34, no. 7, pp. 6722-6735, 2019, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2018.2874878.
P.A. Kyaw, A.L.F. Stein and C.R. Sullivan, "Fundamental Examination of Multiple Potential Passive Component Technologies for Future Power Electronics," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 33, no. 12, pp. 10708-10722, 2018, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2017.2776609.
C.R. Sullivan, B.A. Reese, A.L.F. Stein and P.A. Kyaw, "On size and magnetics: Why small efficient power inductors are rare," 2016 International Symposium on 3D Power Electronics Integration and Manufacturing (3D-PEIM), pp. 1-23, doi: 10.1109/3DPEIM.2016.7570571.
A.J. Stratakos, C.R. Sullivan, S.R. Sanders, and R.W. Brodersen. "High-Efficiency Low-Voltage DC-DC Conversion for portable applications," in Low-Voltage/Low-Power Integrated Circuits and Systems: Low-Voltage Mixed-Signal Circuits, Edgar Sanchez-Sinencio and Andreas Andreou, Eds. IEEE Press, 1999.
A.J. Stratakos, C.R. Sullivan, S.R. Sanders. "DC Power Supply Design in Portable Systems," in Low Power Digital CMOS Design, A.P. Chandrakasan and R.W. Brodersen, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1995.

Patents

Multilayer conductors with integrated capacitors and associated systems and methods | 10,707,911
Power processing methods and apparatus for photovoltaic systems | 9,673,729
Methods for making radially anisotropic thin-film magnetic torroidal cores | 9,659,706
Low AC resistant foil winding for magnetic coils on gapped cores | 7,701,317
Method for making magnetic components with N-phase coupling, and related inductor structures | 7,498,920
Low impedance test fixture for impedance measurements | 7,365,550
Method and apparatus for multi-phase DC-DC converters using coupled inductors in discontinuous conduction mode | 7,317,305
Voltage converter with coupled inductive windings, and associated methods | 6,362,986
Circuit for dimming gas discharge lamps without introducing striations | 5,001,386