Matrix converters have been extensively investigated in academia over the last 3 decades. Several review works targeting matrix converter topologies, commutation strategies, modulation and control techniques have been published. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a review on the potential contributions of matrix converters for applications that are shaping the electric power sector transition towards decarbonization is lacking, namely applications on smart grids, sustainable transportation and electrical drives. This paper presents an extensive literature review on the more relevant research works targeting applications of matrix converters as an enabling key technology for smart and resilient grids, sustainable transportation, and innovation in variable speed electric drives.

This paper presents a novel analytical loss formulation to predict the efficiency of three-phase inverters using silicon carbide (SiC) metal—oxide—semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The proposed analytical formulation accounts for the influence of the output current harmonic distortion on the conduction losses as well as the impact of the output parasitic capacitances and the deadtime on the switching losses. The losses are formulated in balanced conditions to select suitable SiC MOFETs for the desired target efficiency. To validate the proposed methodology, a 3-phase inverter is designed to present full load efficiency in excess of 99% when built using SiC MOSFETs antiparalleled with SiC Schottky diodes selected for the specified full load efficiency. Experimental assessment of the designed inverter efficiency is compared with the expected values from the proposed analytical formulation and shown to match or exceed the predicted results for loads ranging from 40% to 100% of full load.

The floating-element (FE) principle, introduced nearly a century ago, remains one of the most versatile direct wall shear stress measurement methods. Yet, its intrinsic sources of systematic error, associated with the flow-exposed gap, off-axis load sensitivity, and calibration, have thus far limited its widespread application. In combination with the lack of standard designs and testing procedures, measurement reliability still hinges heavily on individual judgement and expertise. This paper presents a framework to curb these limitations, whereby the design and operation of a FE balance are leveraged by an analytical model that attempts to capture the behaviour and predict the relative contribution of the systematic sources of error. The design is based on a parallel-shift linkage and a zero-displacement force-feedback system. The FE has a surface area of $$200\times 200\,$$200 × 200 mm, and measurement sensitivity is adjustable depending on the surface condition and the Reynolds number. It is thus suitable for application in a wide range of low-speed, boundary-layer wind tunnels, small or large scale. Measurements of the skin friction coefficient over a smooth wall show a remarkable agreement with oil-film interferometry, especially for $${\rm Re}_{\theta } > 1.3 \times 10^4$$Re θ > 1.3 × 10 4 . The discrepancy relative to the empirical Coles–Fernholz relation ( $$\kappa = 0.39$$κ = 0.39 and $$C = 4.352$$C = 4.352 ) is within $$0.5\,$$0.5 %, and the level of uncertainty is below $$1\,$$1 % for a confidence interval of $$95\,$$95 %.

Wideband-gap semiconductor devices are rapidly gaining ground in power converters in a wide variety of applications, given their ability to block higher voltages, compared to typical devices, with lower on-state voltages. The characterization of losses for Gallium Nitride (GaN) or Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductor devices, in particular for inverter operation, is not straightforward, specially taking into consideration that the typical losses values provided by manufacturers are obtained in direct current (DC) for a given current and voltage. This paper measures the average dissipated power in inverter operation for different input voltages and different output currents of two promising devices, SiC MOSFET and GaN HEMT, chosen from two leading manufacturers. The losses measurement is obtained indirectly by the direct measurement of the devices temperature.

In this paper, a direct power predictive controller (DPPC) is derived for a current source inverter (CSI) based single stage photovoltaic (PV) system. The equations of the dynamics, including AC and DC filters, are formulated directly for the PV power and for the active and reactive power injected in the grid. Then, the prediction equations are synthesized straight for the power, and, at each time instant, the optimal switching vector that guarantees simultaneously the control of the power generated by the PV arrays, and the control of the reactive power in the connection to the grid is chosen. This approach aims to guarantee fast and accurate tracking of the power. The proposed system is then validated through simulation and experimental results, showing that the PV system is able to follow the power references, guaranteeing a fast response to a step in the power, and decoupled active and reactive power control, with minimum total harmonic distortion (<5%) of the currents injected in the grid.