Multiscale Multiphysics Modeling, Analysis, Simulation, and Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube-Based Integrated Power Inductor for System On-Chip With Magnetic Cores

Abstract

The magnetics of power electronics has particular potential for improvement, as these components are typically the largest and volumetrically inefficient in a power circuit. Nowadays, the trend is to develop multiscale multiphysics structures to yield performance characteristics favorable in power electronic devices and power converters’ applications. As the dimensions of materials are reduced to the nanometer realm, they often exhibit novel and interesting behavior, which constitute the basis for a new generation of electronic devices. Nanoparticles physical and chemical properties behavior is unique and peculiar compared to conventional or classical materials, for instance, silicon is a semiconductor while silicon nanowire is a good conductor. Hence, the exploitation and exploration of nanotechnology is critical to achieving reliable nanometer-based power devices with small footprint and reduced power consumption, among others. Nanotechnology-based power inductor that utilizes bundled-multiwalled carbon nanotubes and thin magnetic plates as cores can provide high-power-density, low-power-loss, and high performance in a small size for system on-chip (SoC). The bundled-multiwalled carbon nanotubes based power inductor with single-layer and three turns occupies an area of 0.1225 mm2 exhibits an inductance of 263 nH, a quality factor of 771 at 20 MHz, and a dc rated current of 200 mA. The fabrication, design, analysis, multiscale multiphysics modeling, and simulation results of the bundled-multiwalled carbon nanotubes based power inductor are presented.