Silicon Carbide (SiC) Power Processing Unit (PPU) for Hall Effect Thrusters

In this SBIR project, APEI, Inc. is proposing to develop a high efficiency, rad-hard 3.8 kW silicon carbide (SiC) Power Processing Unit (PPU) for Hall Effect thrusters. In Phase I of the project, APEI, Inc. will focus on investigating various circuit topologies, developing and applying performance metrics (i.e., optimizing magnetics, passives, frequencies, power density, efficiency, etc.), and developing a complete electric circuit design. By the conclusion of Phase I, APEI, Inc. will build and test a hardware "proof of concept" 1.3 kW power converter demonstrating the feasibility of the concepts proposed in this program. In Phase II of the project, APEI, Inc. will transition the "proof of concept" converter of Phase I into a higher power 3.8 kW interleaved system (paralleling three 1.3 kW converters), will modify the basic circuit design demonstrated in Phase I to include full control functionality and feedback / protection circuitry, and will integrate space qualified control and feedback components for a complete rad-hard system.

This technology can also be used in commercial and industrial applications, such as bus voltage boost converters in hybrid and electric vehicles, and boost converters for fuel-cell / three-phase grid utility applications.

The first market for this technology will be hall thruster engines for satellites and interplanetary missions. This technology will find a market in many electric propulsion systems for several NASA (i.e., HiVHAC program or NEXT ion thruster), military (i.e., MDA's STSS and BMDS platforms) and commercial (i.e., small and medium size LEO spacecraft) applications. Most electric propulsion systems, including resistojets, arcjets, hall and ion thrusters, etc. will benefit from increased PPU voltage and power density. The proposed PPU will allow for increased efficiency and control of the electric propulsion yielding reduced propellant requirements (or increased maneuvering capabilities) which translates into very important cost saving and unprecedented performance.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.