Technology invented by IUPUI researchers to improve the conversion from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) signals and from DC signals to AC signals has been awarded a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Many devices operated by electricity receive power either as AC or DC signals, but some can be operated by both. However, the complexity of traditional separate electrical circuits that perform AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC conversion decreases the reliability of devices that use both signals.

IUPUI researchers have developed an invention that can convert DC voltage to any desired waveform using a single switch inverter. The same circuit can be used to convert the time-varying voltage to a controllable DC voltage. They disclosed their invention to the Indiana University Innovation and Commercialization Office, which protects, markets and licenses intellectual property developed at Indiana University so it can be commercialized by industry.

More information about disclosing inventions to IU ICO and how to license them for commercial applications is available online.