One of the most prominent technologies in lighting is light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are a semiconductor based light source. The driving of the LEDs presents a substantial challenge. An LED behaves like a diode so, if the maximum voltage rating is even slightly exceeded, then the current rating may be exceeded by a large amount, and the LED may lose its functionality. The UROPs main goal will be creating an effective power converter (buck converter) that will make it possible for the LED to work with the designated voltage, but also with a mid-range or high-range current operating directly from ac mains. Further, work will be done towards designing power converters using GaN FETs designed and fabricated at MTL. This FETs will be optimized for our specific applications.

Under the supervision of Prof. Chandrakasan, I pursued a UROP on building a generic power converter and analyzing its power losses. I was a Lab Assistant for 6.002 (Circuits and Electronics) and 6.S076 (Applications of Circuits and Electronics) during Spring 2012. I earned a silver medal in the 51st International Mathematical Olympiad.