Cryogenic DC-DC Boost Converter Employing Superconducting Inductor

Samir A. Mussa; Herminio M. de Oliveira Filho; Gustavo A. L. Henn; Douglas M. Sotoriva; Lauro Ferreira; Loïc Queval

doi:10.18618/REP.e202552

Authors

Samir A. Mussa Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1102-422X
Herminio M. de Oliveira Filho Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afrobrasileira https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3730-9752
Gustavo A. L. Henn Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afrobrasileira https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7740-8501
Douglas M. Sotoriva Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3216-9560
Lauro Ferreira Université Paris-Saclay https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8566-6590
Loïc Queval Université Paris-Saclay https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3934-4372

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202552

Keywords:

DC-DC boost converter, HTS coil, cryogenic converter, cryoboost, superconductors

Abstract

Cryogenic power electronics applications, commonly referred to as cryo-converters, offer key advantages over conventional ambient-temperature systems, including higher power density and improved efficiency. This paper presents the experimental analysis of a prototype cryogenic boost converter (cryoboost) operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM), under both room-temperature and cryogenic conditions. The study focuses on the voltage gain behavior. Two different inductors were tested and compared: an air-core copper coil and a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) air-core inductor (BSCCO pancake coil, 4 mm tape). Experimental results demonstrate that the HTS inductor operating at cryogenic temperatures significantly enhances the voltage gain compared to the copper inductor at room temperature. These findings suggest that HTS-based inductors are a promising alternative for high-gain DC-DC converter applications in cryogenic environments.

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Author Biographies

Samir A. Mussa, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

received the degree of Electrical Engineer from the Federal University of Santa Maria in 1988, he received the Master's and Doctor's degrees from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in 1994 and 2003 respectively. He currently holds the position of Full Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEL) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and researcher at the Institute of Power Electronics (INEP). His research interests include PFC rectifiers, digital signal processing and control applied in power electronics, DSP-based systems, FPGA and microprocessors, cryogenic power electronics and superconductor applications. Dr. Mussa is a member of the Brazilian Society of Power Electronics (SOBRAEP) and the IEEE.

Herminio M. de Oliveira Filho , Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afrobrasileira

was born in Taguatinga, Distrito Federal, Brazil, in 1983.He received B.Sc., M.Sc. and D.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Ceara; (UFC), Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2007, 2010 and 2015, respectively. Currently, he is a professor and a researcher in the Electrical Energy Processing and Planning Group (GProPEE) in the University for the International Integration of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (UNILAB), Redenção, Brazil, and also a researcher in the Power Processing and Control Group (GPEC) in the UFC. His interest areas include control applications in power electronics, bidirectional dc-dc converters, energy storage systems and renewable energy applications. Prof. Oliveira Filho is a Member of the Brazilian Power Electronics Society (SOBRAEP) and IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS).

Gustavo A. L. Henn, Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afrobrasileira

was born in Fortaleza-CE, Brazil, in 1983. He received the BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from Federal University of Ceará, Brazil, in 2006, 2008, and 2012 respectively. In 2022 completed the Postdoctoral fellowship in the University Paris-Saclay, France. He is currently researcher in the Group of Electrical Energy Processing, and associated professor at the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Redenção/CE, Brazil. His interest fields include static power converters, renewable energy applications, multilevel converters, and power electronics cryogenic applications.

Douglas M. Sotoriva, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

was born in Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 1997. He received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Centro Universitário Facvest (Unifacvest) in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Power Electronics at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). His research interests include power electronics, AC–DC converters and wide bandgap semiconductors (SiC and GaN).

Lauro Ferreira, Université Paris-Saclay

was born in Resende, RJ, Brazil, in 1994. He received his B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2019, and his M.Sc. degree in Intelligent Electric Vehicles from the University of Lille, France, in 2021. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering within the GeePs (Group of Electrical Engineering of Paris) at CentraleSupelec, Université Paris-Saclay, France. His research interests include power systems, power electronics, superconducting applications, and electric mobility.

Loïc Queval, Université Paris-Saclay

received the Ph.D. degree in science from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, in 2013. He is currently Full Professor in the GeePs Laboratory, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne University, Gif sur Yvette, France. His main research interests include energy systems, electrical machines and applied superconductivity.

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